Context:
The 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR took place off the East Coast of Australia near Sydney, concluding on August 21, 2023.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Exercise MALABAR
- Operations and Integration
About Exercise MALABAR
- Participating navies included the Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and the US Navy (USN).
- Phases of Exercise:
- The exercise was conducted in two phases:
- Harbour Phase
- Sea Phase
Participating Units:
- The Indian Navy was represented by indigenously built Destroyer INS Kolkata, Frigate INS Sahyadri, and P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
- Participating units also included RAN ships HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane, USS Raphael Peralta, and JS Shiranui, along with submarines, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and shipborne helicopters.
Operations and Integration:
- Ships sailed for the sea phase from Sydney harbour, while air assets operated from RAAF Amberley Brisbane.
- The sea phase witnessed complex and high-intensity exercises in air, surface, and undersea domains, including weapon firings and cross-deck helicopter operations.
- The joint exercises at sea aimed to hone war-fighting skills and enhance interoperability, showcasing the ability to undertake advanced maritime operations.
- Integration of air assets highlighted seamless coordination between Indian, Australian, and US maritime patrol aircraft units.
Shared Commitment and Regional Stability:
- Exercise MALABAR underscored the strong cooperation and shared values among the participating nations.
- It emphasized the collective ability of these four navies to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, promoting peace, security, and regional stability.
- The exercise reaffirmed the commitment of the navies to maritime security through collaborative training and mutual understanding.
