The Indian Navy will be participating in the second phase of Malabar exercise from October 12-15, along with the US Navy (USN), Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
“The Indian Navy’s participation includes INS Ranvijay, INS Satpura, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a Submarine,” according to indian navy.
The US Navy will be represented by nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson along with two destroyers, USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale. The JMSDF will deploy helicopter carrier JS Kaga and Murasame-class destroyers JS Murasame while the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.
This is the first time that the Malabar exercise is being conducted in two phases and in separate oceans. Between the two phases, the top leaders of Quad had their first physical meeting In Washington in the last week September.
A series of complex surface, underwater and air operations are planned for the event. The Japanese have sent in flat-deck helicopter carrier JS Kaga, while the US Navy has decided to involve USS Carl Vinson, one of the world’s largest warships. The 1,00,000-tonne super-carrier carries nearly 100 fighter aircraft and helicopters.
“The second phase of the exercise would build upon the synergy, coordination and interoperability developed during the first phase and would focus on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolution, and weapon firings,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
The first phase was conducted in Phillipines sea from August 26 to August 29 .
