'Quad' alliance set for Malabar naval wargames off Bay of Bengal
FollowPhase-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.
The Phase 1 of the 24th edition of the Malabar naval exercise will start off Visakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.
Phase 1 of the Exercise Malabar will see participation by Indian Navy, United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy.
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.
The 2020 edition will now witness participation of the Royal Australian Navy in this joint maritime exercise.
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.
The Indian Navy participation in Phase 1 will be led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
Indian Navy units participating in the exercise include destroyer Ranvijay, frigate Shivalik, Off Shore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, Fleet Support Ship Shakti and submarine Sindhuraj.
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.
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.
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.
