Australia, India, Japan, and the US, collectively known as the “Quad,” have commenced the 28th Malabar Naval Exercises 2024. The opening ceremony was held onboard Indian Naval Ship Satpura at Visakhapatnam on 9th October. With India leading the multi-nation drill as the host nation, allied vessels gathered in the Bay of Bengal will participate in various operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and joint tactical manoeuvres. The drill will take place in two stages – the Harbour Phase from October 8 to 12 and the Sea Phase from October 13 to 18.
Speaking at the ceremony, US Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Stephen Koehler said “last year we conducted Malabar off the east coast of Australia. This year Malabar has returned to its birthplace – the Indian Ocean. We welcome the opportunity to train here with our MALABAR partners and I look forward to an outstanding exercise”.
The special operations forces of each country are taking part in joint exercises, along with Australia’s HMAS Stuart, MH-60R helicopter, and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Japan’s JS Ariake, and the US’ USS Dewey, integral helicopter, and P-8. Meanwhile, India has also deployed an extensive fleet comprising guided-missile destroyers, multi-role frigates, submarines, and P-8I, along with other naval platforms.
The Malabar naval exercise was first initiated as a bilateral drill between the US and India along India’s Malabar Coast in 1992. Since then, it has expanded to include Australia and Japan, promoting greater cooperation on shared maritime concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. This edition aims to enhance interoperability among the participating countries and support a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in response to increasing maritime threats from China.
“As we gather to ‘understand, collaborate and engage’, we recognise that the Indian Ocean Region, and the broader Indo-Pacific, are becoming increasingly vital for global security and economic stability. The strategic importance of these waters cannot be overstated, as they are essential for trade, energy security and maritime freedom. Realising this, the exercise aims not only to be a military drill, but also embodies our commitment to collaboration among like-minded nations to respond to evolving maritime challenges,” Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command said.
Acknowledge India’s key role in the Indo-Pacific, the US Pacific Fleet Commander said our groundbreaking operations with India occur in the context of historic levels of US Pacific Fleet activity in the Indian Ocean. We also recognize the broader significance of the Indian Ocean – a third of the world’s bulk cargo and two-thirds of global oil pass through its sea lanes. Our combined activities in the Indian Ocean promote this free trade and shared prosperity, reinforced by the rules-based international order, he stressed.
In response to the growing maritime threats from China in the Indo-Pacific, the US Commander, without directly naming China, stated, “Make no mistake – we are doing more together. Our recent actions with our allies and partners are historic and part of a new convergence in the Indo-Pacific, created by the US operating together with our allies and partners like never before. Our combined capabilities and links with like-minded nations dwarf those of any competitor. Our increasing convergence produces integrated deterrence, which is realized through the combination of all elements of national power. We contribute to this militarily across the joint force and with our allies and partners in order to deter conflict. We contribute to this militarily across the joint force and with our allies and partners in order to deter conflict”.
The opening ceremony was attended by the heads of the Quad Navies delegation, including General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan; Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander US Pacific Fleet; Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi, Commander-in-Chief, Japan Self Defence Fleet; and Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Commander Australian Fleet.
Ravi Shankar
