The 27th edition of Exercise Malabar, a multinational naval exercise, has successfully concluded off the East Coast of Australia near Sydney on August 21, as announced by the Ministry of Defence. This year’s Exercise Malabar witnessed the participation of ships, submarines, and aircraft from four naval forces: the Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and the US Navy (USN).
The exercise was conducted in two phases: a harbour phase from August 11 to 15, 2023, followed by a sea phase from August 16 to 21, 2023. The participating units from the Indian Navy included the indigenously built destroyer INS Kolkata, frigate INS Sahyadri, and the P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The naval vessels and aircraft from the other participating nations included RAN ships HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane, USS Raphael Peralta, JS Shiranui, along with submarines, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and shipborne helicopters.
While the ships conducted exercises in the sea, the air assets operated from RAAF Amberley Brisbane. The P-8I Dets, involving crews from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and US Navy P-8 aircraft, were stationed there.
During the sea phase, the Exercise Malabar featured complex and high-intensity exercises in air, surface, and undersea domains. These included weapon firings and cross-deck helicopter operations. The joint drills aimed to enhance war-fighting skills and interoperability among the four navies, allowing them to conduct advanced maritime operations seamlessly.
The effective integration of air assets demonstrated exceptional coordination and interoperability between the Indian, Australian, and US maritime patrol aircraft units.
The exercise showcased not only the ability of the four navies to operate as an integrated force but also emphasized their shared commitment to regional stability and maritime security through collaborative training and mutual understanding.
After five days of diverse exercises, Exercise Malabar underscored the strong cooperation, shared values, and collective capabilities of the participating nations. The exercise aimed to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, promoting peace and security for all nations in the region.
