New Delhi: On Monday, Indian warship took refuelling with US Navy tanker USNS Yukon in Northern Arabian Sea using the provisions of a defence agreement that allows the militaries of the two countries to work mutually and use each other’s bases.
#INSTalwar on #MissionBasedDeployment in Northern Arabian Sea undertook refuelling with @USNavy Fleet Tanker #USNSYukon under #LEMOA (1/2). #BridgesofFriendship#Interoperability@SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/ykiJQw7hsT
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 14, 2020
An Indian Navy spokesperson said, INS Talwar deployed in Northern Arabian sea undertook refuelling with US Navy Fleet Tanker USNS Yukon under LEMOA,”
In 2016, India and the US inked the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that allows their militaries use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.
India has signed similar agreements with France, Singapore, Australia and Japan.
“The evolution apart from highlighting interoperability between Indian Navy and US Navy enables presence for enhancing maritime security,” the spokesperson said.
The two countries signed another pact called COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two militaries and sale of high-end technology from the US to India.
The US Navy carrier strike group comprises USS Nimitz, Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson.