India and Japan coast guards to conduct joint exercise in January 2014

The Indian and Japanese Coast Guard are set to conduct exercise off Kochi in mid-January 2014.

During the drill, personnel from both the nations will conduct joint drills focusing on coastal security, search and rescue and anti-piracy operations besides anti-pollution measures, according to The Hindu.

An officer said that the exercise will commence on 14 January.

"As we operate in a multi-naval scenario, it is important to develop interoperability with friendly maritime forces" officer added.

The drill will include the Japanese Coast Guard’s large patrol vessel Mizuhoas well as Indian Coast Guard’s ships such as Samrat, Laxmibai and interceptor vessel C-404.

Coast Guard sources said, "Groundwork for the joint exercise and meetings with various coastal and harbour security stakeholders will be conducted in the following days."

Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Chetak search and rescue helicopters of India will also take part in the exercise.

The exercise will also focus towards developing coordinated responses between the allied nations to various coastal security challenges such as piracy, poaching and other unlawful activities in coastal waters.