Indian Navy participates in Exercise Malabar

Indian Navy participated in the sea phase of Exercise Malabar 2021 from 26–29 August 2021 along with the US Navy (USN), Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Malabar series of maritime exercise commenced in 1992 as an IN- USN Exercise. In 2015, JMSDF joined Malabar as a permanent member. The 2020 edition witnessed participation of the Royal Australian Navy. This year marks the 25th edition of Ex Malabar, being hosted by USN in the Western Pacific.

The Indian Navy’s participation included INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt and P8I MPA led by Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. The US Navy was represented by USS Barry, USNS Rappahannock, USNS Big Horn and the P8A patrol aircraft. The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force was represented by JS Kaga, Murasame and Shiranui, in addition to a submarine and P1 patrol aircraft. The Royal Australian Navy was represented by HMAS Warramunga.

The IN ships sailed from Guam where they participated in Operational Turn Around from 21-24 August 2021. During this phase, the Flag Officer Commandingin-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Adm AB Singh, AVSM, VSM exchanged views with counterparts in the US Navy.

MALABAR- 21 witnessed complex exercises including anti- surface, anti- air and anti-submarine warfare drill, and other manoeuvres and tactical exercises. The exercise also provide an opportunity for participating navies to derive benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences.

Exercise Malabar 2021 – Phase II

The Indian Navy (IN) also participated in the Second Phase of Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar along with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy ( RAN) and the United States Navy (USN). The exercise was conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 12–15 October 2021. First Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Philippines Sea from 26–29 August 2021.

The Indian Navy’s participation included INS Ranvijay, INS Satpura, P8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and a submarine. The US Navy was represented by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson along with two destroyers, USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale. The JMSDF was represented by JS Kaga and JS Murasame whilst, the Royal Australian Navy was represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.

The Second Phase of the exercise was to build upon the synergy, coordination and inter-operability developed during the First Phase of the exercise and focussed on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions and weapon firings.