The first phase of Malabar naval exercise commenced off Vishakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday with participation by Indian Navy (IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds on Tuesday said that India and Australia were natural partners in the Indo-Pacific region and the Malabar naval exercise was a demonstration of the depth of trust and cooperation between the defence organisations of the countries. She said that the need to cooperate with regional defence partners on shared challenges was stronger than ever. “India and Australia are natural partners in the Indo-Pacific, and Exercise Malabar is a clear demonstration of the depth of trust and cooperation between our defence organisations,” said Reynolds, according to a press release.
“Participation in sophisticated exercises like Malabar not only highlights the strategic trust between the members but also strengthens our collective ability to contribute to regional security,” she said. “Exercise Malabar is an important opportunity to work in concert with like-minded nations to support a secure, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” Reynolds added.
The 24th edition of the Malabar naval exercise is scheduled in two phases this month. It will display “high-levels of synergy and coordination” based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order. It is for first time in more than a decade that the exercise will see the participation of all four Quad countries. This is the first time Australia has joined Malabar since its introduction in 1992.
The first phase will witness the participation of Indian Navy units with United States Ship (USS) John S McCain (guided-missile destroyer), Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Ballarat (long range frigates) with integral MH-60 helicopter and Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship (JMSDF) Onami (destroyer) with integral SH-60 helicopter.The Indian Navy participation in phase one is being led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
Indian Navy units participating in the exercise include destroyer Ranvijay, frigate Shivalik, offshore 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” 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”, a Defence Ministry release had said on Monday. The exercise comes amid border tensions between India and China. The US is among countries that have expressed concern over attempts of China to flex military muscle in the neigbhourhood.
WITH ANI INPUTS
