This handout photo taken and released by the Indian Navy on November 18, 2020 shows an Indian army helicopter on the deck on an aircraft carrier during the second phase of the Malabar naval exercise in the Arabian sea. (INDIAN NAVY / AFP)

NEW DELHI - India's defense ministry Thursday said a large-scale joint military exercise, called Exercise Kavach, will be conducted in the coming week off the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The exercise will involve assets of Indian army, navy, air force and coast guard.

The exercise will involve assets of Indian army, navy, air force and coast guard

"The exercise is being conducted in the coming week under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), the only joint forces command of the country," a statement issued by defense ministry said.

"The exercise would involve participation and deployment of elements of army's amphibious brigade along with supporting forces including special forces of navy, armoured/mechanized components, naval ships comprising destroyers, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes and landing ships with ship-borne helicopters of eastern naval command and ANC, jaguar maritime strike and transport aircraft from Indian air force and assets of coast guard."

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