Second phase of 24th edition of Malabar multi national naval exercise begins

The second phase of the 24th edition of Malabar, the multi-national naval exercise bringing together the navies of USA, India, Japan and Australia began on Tuesday in the Arabian Sea.

Phase 2 of Malabar-2020 is being conducted over four days and will include deck based aircraft operations, fleet air defence exercises, surface gun shoots on practice targets and advanced coordinated anti-submarine exercises, and other tactical maneuvres that cover a wide spectrum of maritime operations.

The Indian Navy is being spearheaded by the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya with its integral MiG-29K fighter aircraft while the US Navy will feature its carrier USS Nimitz and F-18 fighters.

Other fleet escort units, integral helicopters, the shore based _IN_ MR ASW P-8I and _USN_ P8A and submarines will participate in the exercise. HMAS Ballarat and JS Murasame are representing the Royal Australian Navy and JMSDF respectively.

The increased complexity of the exercises is indicative of the high level of inter operability achieved. All four navies are committed to cooperate in the maritime domain towards a peaceful, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.