Malabar 2020 PHOTOS: 4 naval powers in the Bay of Bengal

Phase 1 of the 24th multinational maritime exercise Malabar, involving the Indian Navy, US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Navy, concluded on Friday. The exercise witnessed live weapon firings, surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare drills, joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures leading up to a culmination with advanced War-at-Sea exercise. While the first phase of Malabar 2020 was conducted in the Bay of Bengal, the second phase will be conducted in the Arabian Sea on November 20. Here are some glimpses of the first round of naval exercises.

Ships from multiple nations sail in formation during a live-fire gunnery exercise as part of Malabar 2020. Malabar is an India-led multinational exercise designed to enhance cooperation between Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

Ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force make their approach toward the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Indian Navy Sindhughosh-class submarine INS Sindhuraj (S 57) leads a formation of during a photo exercise as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sails in formation with ships and a submarine during a photo exercise as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sails in formation with the Indian Navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Shivalik (F 47), and the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) during a photo exercise as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

An expendable aerial target flies by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during a live-fire gunnery exercise with ships from multiple nations as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) fires its mark 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire gunnery exercise with ships from multiple nations as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

Lt. Yuma Kuwata, from Yokohama, Japan, monitors surface contacts while standing watch in the combat information center aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during an anti-submarine warfare training evolution as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Takanami-class destroyer JS Onami (JS 111) of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force sails in formation with other ships during a photo exercise as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Indian Navy Rajput-class guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (D 55) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Kai, from Kau, Hawaii, receives an Indian Navy Chetak helicopter from the Indian Navy Rajput-class guided-missile destroyer INS Ranjivay (D 55) as it prepares to land on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during cross deck flight operations as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Kai, from Kau, Hawaii, signals a Sea King 42C helicopter from the Indian Navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Shivalik (F 47) to take off on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during cross deck flight operations as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sails in formation with ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

Cmdr. Ryan T. Easterday, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) observes from the bridge wing as ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force make their approach while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Takanami-class destroyer JS Onami (JS 111) of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force prepares to come alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sails in formation with ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released)