The Phase 1 of the 24th edition of the Malabar naval exercise will start off Visakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.
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Phase 1 of the Exercise Malabar will see participation by Indian Navy, United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy.
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The Malabar series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral India-US exercise. The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force joined the exercise in 2015.
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The 2020 edition will now witness participation of the Royal Australian Navy in this joint maritime exercise.
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Phase-1 will witness participation of Indian Navy units with US guided-missile destroyer John S McCain, HMAS long range frigate Ballarat with integral MH-60 helicopter, and Japan Maritime Self Defence destroyer Onami with an integral SH-60 helicopter.
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The Indian Navy participation in Phase 1 will be led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
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Indian Navy units participating in the exercise include destroyer Ranvijay, frigate Shivalik, Off Shore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, Fleet Support Ship Shakti and submarine Sindhuraj.
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In addition, Advanced Jet Trainer Hawk, long-range maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters will also be participating in the exercise.
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The exercise, being conducted as a 'non-contact, at sea only' exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic, will showcase the high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.
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Malabar 2020 Phase 1 would witness complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare operations, cross deck flying, seamanship evolutions and weapon firing exercises.
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