New Delhi, Nov 6 The navies of India, the US, Australia and Japan kick started the annual Malabar naval exercise with an aim to further bolster interoperability and operational coordination.
The Indian Navy has deployed its guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri for the mega exercise being hosted by Japan in Yokosuka.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was attended by Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral A N Pramod as well as senior naval leadership from Australia, Japan and the US.
Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri is participating in the current edition of exercise, which aims to enhance interoperability and operational coordination among the participating navies, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.
The US Navy has deployed a number of platforms including P-8A Poseidon aircraft, San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage and USS John P Murtha.
The exercise from November 5-12 will feature combined training in the surface, sub-surface, air and information domains.
The Malabar exercise began in 1992 as a bilateral naval drill between the US and Indian Navy.
Over the years, it has evolved into a key multilateral event aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.
“What began in 1992 as a modest bilateral event between the United States and India has matured over three decades into a premier, quadrilateral exercise,” said Vice Admiral Pat Hannifin, commander of US 7th Fleet.
“This growth builds our interoperability to collaboratively reinforce a free and open Indo-Pacific that benefits all nations.”
The US embassy in New Delhi said naval forces from the four nations are “conducting advanced multi-domain training to strengthen operational coordination and maritime capabilities in support of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
(PTI News)
