Days after announcing the participation of Australia for the first time in the Malabar series of naval exercises despite China’s strong objection, India on Friday released the schedule of the annual exercise. It will take part in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in two phases.
In all four countries including India, Japan, US and Australia will exercise together in the first phase for four days from November 3 to 6 in Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal. The next session will commence in mid-November.
The 2+2 ministerial level dialogue between India and the US here earlier this week had expressed satisfaction over the forthcoming Malabar exercise. It will see all the four Quadrilateral countries exercising together for the first time.
China had all along objected to the inclusion of Australia claiming it will militarise the Quad and increase tension in the Indo-Pacific region. India announced the decision about Australia’s participation on October 19.
The Malabar exercises started in 1992 when India and US exercised together. Japan joined in 2015. An invitation to Australia in 2007 saw China expressing its displeasure to all the four countries. However, the US and Japan were in favour of Australia joining this prestigious exercise and the process was on for the last two years.
Giving details of the upcoming exercise, officials said here the 24th edition is scheduled in two phases in November 2020. Phase-1 will see participation of Indian Navy units with USN Ship USS John S McCain (Guided-missile destroyer), Ballarat (long range frigate) with integral MH-60 helicopter of Australia and Onami (Destroyer) with integral SH-60 helicopter of Japan.
The Indian Navy participation in Phase 1 will be led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Indian Navy units participating in the exercise include destroyer Ranvijay, frigate Shivalik, Off Shore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, Fleet Support Ship Shakti and submarine Sindhuraj. In addition, Advanced Jet Trainer Hawk, long-range maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters will also be participating in the exercise.
The exercise, being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic, will showcase the high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order. The first phase will witness complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare operations, cross deck flying, seamanship evolutions and weapon firing exercises. The second phase is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea in mid-November 2020.
