The 2nd phase of the Malabar exercise will build upon synergy, inter-operability developed during the first phase of the exercise

India together Japan, Australia and the US will hold the second phase of Malabar exercise from October 12 to 15 in the Bay of Bengal, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Sunday. The first phase of the exercise was conducted in the Philippines Sea from August 26 – 29, 2021.

The Indian Navy’s participation includes INS Ranvijay, INS Satpura, P8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and a submarine.

The US Navy will be represented by the Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson along with two destroyers--USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale.

The JMSDF will be represented by JS Kaga and JS Murasame, while the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.

The second phase of the exercise would build upon the synergy, coordination and inter-operability developed during the first phase of the exercise and would focus on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions and weapon firings.

The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992, has seen increasing scope and complexity over the years.

The 25th edition of MALABAR, being conducted in two phases, while observing all protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, is reflective of the commitment of the participating countries to support a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific as well as a rules-based international order.