India to organize naval exercise in Malabar amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region – Firstpost

With an aim to enhance their overall interoperability amid the evolving regional security environment, the next edition of the high-voltage Malabar exercise involving the navies of India, US, Australia and Japan will begin on Tuesday.

India is hosting the 11-day mega war game.

The annual war game will include both sea and port phases, with an emphasis on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where China has witnessed China’s growing military muscle, they said.

“Exercise Malabar 2024 will take place from October 8 to 18, starting with the port phase at Visakhapatnam, followed by the sea phase,” the Indian Navy announced on Saturday.

It is said that the upcoming Malabar exercise is expected to be the most comprehensive of all editions to the extent that it will include complex operational scenarios.

The Malabar exercise began in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between the US and Indian navies.

Over the years, it has emerged as a major multilateral event aimed at increasing interoperability, promoting mutual understanding and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.

The exercise will involve the participation of several Indian Navy platforms, including guided missile destroyers, multi-role frigates, submarines, fighter jets and helicopters.

“The exercise will focus on a wide range of activities designed to enhance cooperation and operational capabilities, including discussions on special operations, surface, air and anti-submarine warfare through a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE),” the statement said. navy.

“Complex maritime operations such as anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and air defense exercises will be conducted at sea, with a focus on improving situational awareness in the maritime domain,” the report said in a statement.

Australia will deploy HMAS Stuart, an Anzac-class frigate with its MH-60R helicopter and P8 maritime patrol aircraft, officials said.

The US Navy will deploy the USS Dewey, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer with its integral helicopter and P8 maritime patrol aircraft, they said.

Japan will participate in the exercise with JS Ariake, a Murasame-class Destroyer.

Special Forces from all four countries will also participate in the exercise.

With input from authorities.