Kumar Bahukhandi
Visakhapatnam: Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024 is scheduled to take place from October 8 to October 18 beginning with the harbour phase in Visakhapatnam and followed by the sea phase, said a release issued by Eastern Naval Command on Saturday October 5 ..
Hosted by India, this year’s exercise will see the participation of Australia, Japan and the United States of America.
Exercise Malabar, which began in 1992 as a bilateral naval drill between the United States and Indian Navy, has evolved into a key multilateral event aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise will feature 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.
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 defence exercises will be conducted at sea, with an emphasis on improving situational awareness in the maritime domain.
A distinguished visitors’ day is planned for October 9 during the harbour phase, during which the delegations from all four nations would be hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Malabar 2024 is expected to be the most comprehensive version of all editions so far, incorporating complex operational scenarios.
( Source D C )
