Exercise Malabar -23 Concludes
The 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR concluded off the East Coast of Australia near Sydney on August 21, 2023. The exercise marked the successful collaboration of naval forces from the Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and the US Navy (USN). Exercise MALABAR 23 was conducted in two distinct phases – a harbor phase from August 11 to August 15, 2023, followed by a sea phase from August 16 to August 21, 2023.
Participation from the Indian Navy comprised the indigenously built Destroyer INS Kolkata, Frigate INS Sahyadri, and P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Alongside, the RAN contributed ships HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane, while the USN included USS Raphael Peralta, and the JMSDF participated with JS Shiranui. The engagement also featured submarines, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and shipborne helicopters.
During the sea phase, the participating ships sailed from Sydney harbour, while air assets operated from RAAF Amberley Brisbane, with the P-8I Dets involving IN, RAAF, and US P-8 crews stationed there.
The sea phase of Exercise Malabar encompassed intricate and high-intensity exercises spanning air, surface, and undersea domains. These exercises included weapon firings and cross-deck helicopter operations. The joint exercises emphasized advanced maritime operations and enhanced the war-fighting capabilities and interoperability between the four navies. The seamless coordination of air assets demonstrated remarkable collaboration and interoperability among Indian, Australian, and US maritime patrol aircraft units. This exercise underscored not just the ability of the four navies to work cohesively as an integrated force, but also showcased their shared dedication to ensuring maritime security and regional stability. Collaborative training and mutual understanding were pivotal aspects in this pursuit.
As the five-day multifaceted exercises concluded, Exercise MALABAR underscored the strong partnership, shared values, and combined capabilities of the four nations. The exercise’s success in the Indo-Pacific region promotes peace, security, and an inclusive environment that supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.
