Indian Navy To Join U. S. and Gulf Allies To Keep Straits Open.

Russia Announces expansion at Syria’s naval base at Tartus, along the Mediterranean Sea.

Saying “India, particularly because of its location, could become a leading factor in Gulf security” the Indian Navy is participating in major exercises in the Arabian Sea designed to ensure the Straits of Hormuz stay open allowing free flow into and out of the Persian Gulf. In addition to its involvement in a U.S.-led task force to secure the Gulf and Arabian Sea, India has has also conducted naval exercises with such GCC countries as Oman and Qatar and has trained officers from Saudi Arabia..

In October 2008, Indian and U.S. warships were scheduled to conduct a 10-day naval exercise in the Arabian Sea. The U.S. Navy plans to contribute several vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Springfield nuclear submarine, to the maneuvers, expected to begin on Oct. 15.

The exercise would include a demonstration of air, surface and underwater skills. India would operate its Jaguar fighter-jets alongside the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18s.

“The naval wargames will be complex in nature involving anti-submarine warfare maneuvers, flying operations and cross-deck embarkations,” an Indian Navy official said.

At the same time Moscow has rejected a Syrian request for the Iskander-E long-range rocket. The rocket, with a range of 280 kilometers, was designed for accurate strikes on military ground targets. “Missiles and rockets will continue to be off-limits to Syria,” a Russian diplomat said.

It also said Assad also agreed to enlarge Russia’s naval presence in Syria. The sources said this would include the expansion of Syria’s naval base at Tartus, along the Mediterranean Sea.