On Monday, the 27th iteration of the 11-day Malabar naval exercise—which included the warships of India, Australia, Japan, and the US—came to an end. This year’s massive defense drill took place on Australia’s east coast. According to reports, the combined naval exercise included a number of intricate and intense simulations in the air, on land, and beneath the water.
The drill included warships, submarines, and planes from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, and US Navy.
The destroyer INS Kolkata, the frigate INS Sahyadri, and P8I maritime patrol aircraft served as the Indian Navy’s representation.
What was said by the Indian Navy?
“The sea phase of exercise Malabar witnessed complex and high intensity exercises in the air, surface and undersea domains, weapon firings and cross deck helicopter operations,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.
The combined exercise at sea, according to the report, improved the four fleets’ capacity to work together and conduct complex maritime operations.
“The seamless integration of air assets also showcased the exceptional coordination and interoperability between the Indian, Australian, and US maritime patrol aircraft units,” the statement said.
The exercise also demonstrated the four fleets’ shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability via cooperative training and mutual understanding, it said. “The exercise not only reaffirmed the four navies’ ability to operate as an integrated force, it also highlighted that commitment,” it said.
