October 29, 2025

U.S. and Indian Navies Strengthen Maritime Cooperation with Joint P-8 Patrols in the Indian Ocean

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DIEGO GARCIA — The United States and India deepened their maritime partnership last week as aircraft from both nations conducted a joint patrol and training detachment over the Indian Ocean, underscoring their shared commitment to regional security and interoperability.

From October 22–28, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 joined an Indian Navy P-8I for bilateral exercises near Diego Garcia. The training focused on anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness—core missions for both nations’ fleets as they seek to strengthen coordination across the Indo-Pacific.

251024-N-ML137-1019 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Oct. 24, 2025) A multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft P-8A Poseidon assigned to “The Skinny Dragons” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 takes off from U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia for a bilateral combined detachment and training with the Indian Navy, Oct. 24, 2025. The combined detachment focused on antisubmarine warfare and maritime domain awareness to strengthen and refine the interoperability between the U.S. and

“Our P-8A crews were proud to fly alongside our Indian partners in this combined detachment,” said Capt. Rodney Erler, commodore of CTF 72. “Maritime domain awareness is a critical aspect of identifying threats, traditional and non-traditional, that could threaten stability and security in the region. By working with our allies and partners, we increase our shared maritime awareness to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The exercises built upon previous interoperability efforts such as Tiger Triumph 2025, a large-scale U.S.-India joint exercise that integrated satellite and unmanned systems to enhance communication and warfighting capabilities. Officials said this latest engagement marks another step toward deepening the operational synergy between the two navies.

251024-N-ML137-1055 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Oct. 24, 2025) A multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft P-8I Poseidon assigned to the “Condors” of Indian Navy Air Squadron 316 takes off from U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia for a bilateral combined detachment and training with the U.S. Navy, Oct. 24, 2025. The combined detachment focused on antisubmarine warfare and maritime domain awareness to strengthen and refine the interoperability between the U.S. and In

Following the Indian Navy P-8I’s arrival at Diego Garcia, U.S. and Indian crews conducted joint operational planning sessions before moving into flight operations. The detachment culminated in a bilateral anti-submarine warfare and communications exercise at sea.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, part of CTF 72, played a key role in the event. Based under U.S. 7th Fleet, CTF 72 oversees the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific, supporting regional stability through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

251023-N-OJ308-1166 INDIAN OCEAN (Oct. 23, 2025) An Indian Navy multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft P-8I Poseidon, attached to the “Condors” of Indian Navy Air Squadron 316, flies alongside a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, attached to “The Skinny Dragons” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, as part of a bilateral combined detachment operating in the Indian Ocean, Oct. 23, 2025. The combined detachment focued on antisubmarine warfare and maritime domain awareness to strengthen and refine the interoper

U.S. 7th Fleet—the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet—routinely operates with allies and partners to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a phrase often used to describe the U.S. vision for regional cooperation and the protection of international maritime norms.

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