Exercise Malabar 2022 Commences at Japan

The Opening Ceremony of the multi-national maritime exercise Malabar 2022 hosted by SDF Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Yuasa Hideki was held onboard JS Hyuga at Yokosuka, Japan on 8 November 2022.

This edition of the exercise is scheduled from 8-15 November 2022. It marks the 30th anniversary of exercise MALABAR which began in 1992 as bilateral exercise between India-US and gained further eminence with joining of Japan and Australia. The ceremony was attended by the crew and planning staff of participating ships, aircraft and Special Forces from Australia, India, Japan and United States.

The Indian delegation comprising Commanding Officers and crew of INS Shivalik, INS Kamorta, P8I and Marine Commandos was led by Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla. Commander, US Navy Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas and Fleet Commander Royal Australian Navy, Real Admiral Jonathan Earley also participated in the ceremony along with personnel from their respective navies.

The commanders of all the participating navies recognised the importance of exercise Malabar in enhancing mutual understanding and improving interoperability amongst the participating navies as they seek to address common concerns in the maritime domain.

The exercise will witness live weapon firings, complex surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, and joint manoeuvres including an advanced tactical exercise. The high-tempo exercise will see large scale participation from partner navies, comprising an Aircraft Carrier (USS Ronald Reagan), eight destroyers/ frigates, one corvette and two tankers along with long range maritime patrol aircraft, advanced jet trainers, integral helicopters and submarines.

Indian Navy is being represented in the exercise by indigenously built ships Shivalik, Kamorta, Marine Commandos and a Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I.