Indian Navy is all set to host the high-profile Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024 with the other ‘Quad’ countries – the US, Japan, and Australia. The exercise is scheduled from 8 to 18 October in the Bay of Bengal. It comes at a time when China is increasing its military presence in the South China Sea and extending its strategic influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Maritime Exercise Malabar is commencing with the Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by the Sea Phase aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, according to Indian Navy official.
The 28th edition of the Malabar exercise, which will focus primarily on advanced anti-submarine warfare, will be conducted on India’s eastern seaboard to further enhance military interoperability among the four countries.
“The Exercise will feature the participation of various Indian naval platforms, including guided missile destroyers, multi-purpose frigates, submarines, fixed-wing MR, fighter aircraft and helicopters. While Australia will deploy HMAS Stuart, an Anzac Class Frigate with its MH-60R helicopter and P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the United States Navy will field the USS Dewey, an Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer with its integral helicopter and P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Japan will join the Exercise with JS Ariake, a Murasame-class Destroyer. Special Forces from all four nations will also be participating in the Exercise, disclosed Captain Vivek Madhwal, Spokesperson of the Indian Navy.
“Malabar will witness complex surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, along with joint manoeuvres and advanced tactical exercises, to hone war-fighting skills,” a navy source informed.
The Malabar, which began as a bilateral exercise between India and the US in 1992 and now includes Japan and Australia as regular participants, was held off Sydney in August last year. Japan, in turn, had hosted the exercise off Yokosuka in 2022.
“Malabar 2024 will focus on a broad 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). Complex maritime operations such as anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and air defense exercises will be conducted at sea, with an emphasis on improving situational awareness in the maritime domain,” a source said.
An assertive China is a major concern for many countries. China boasts the world’s largest Navy with 355 warships and submarines and has been using its power to intimidate its neighbours in the South China Sea, particularly the Philippines, by making expansive territorial claims and constructing artificial islands. Similar tactics are also being employed along the borders with India. There is also significant worry about China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region, as Beijing seeks additional logistical facilities on the east coast of Africa after establishing its first overseas base in Djibouti in August 2017.
“Malabar is all about the strong cooperation, shared values and the collective ability of the four nations to ensure a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, which China is trying to disrupt,” source added.
“Malabar 2024 is expected to be the most comprehensive version of all editions so far, incorporating complex operational scenarios,” the officer claimed.
Ravi Shankar
