Quad warships and a P-8 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft during Exercise Malabar – 2023, in South Pacific Ocean off Sydney. (Photo: Indian Navy)
New Delhi: Exercise Malabar – 2024, the eagerly awaited maritime drills between the Quadrilateral Dialogue (Quad) members, is poised to start on October 8 in Visakhapatnam, the Indian Navy said on Saturday. This year’s iteration, which will be the exercise’s 28th edition, will feature the participation of all four Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Last year’s edition of Malabar was held in Australia’s eastern coast off Sydney.
The 11-day exercise is split into two phases – harbour phase and sea phase.
The harbour phase will start on October 8 and end on October 10 in Visakhapatnam. It will involve discussions on a range of maritime subjects and professional exchanges between naval experts.
The sea phase will start from October 11 and end on October 18. During this phase, the focus will be on complex maritime operations, such as anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and air defence.
According to the Navy, this year’s edition of Exercise Malabar will emphasize on improving the ability of the Quad navies to operate seamlessly together. This includes coordinating complex manoeuvres, sharing intelligence, and conducting joint operations, highlighting the Quad’s growing strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise will also address shared maritime challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, and HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) operations.
During the exercise, India will field a range of platforms, like guided-missile destroyers, frigates, submarines, and fighter aircraft, while the other participating countries will deploy advanced warships, helicopters, and patrol aircraft.
The event will also feature a “distinguished visitors’ day”, on October 9, during which naval leaders from the Quad nations will be hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, flag officer commanding in chief of the Visakhapatnam-headquartered Eastern Naval Command.
A senior defence official told India Sentinels that this year’s edition of Malabar is expected to be one of the most comprehensive multilateral naval drills involving the Indian Navy. It will witness high-level operational drills aimed at improving cooperation and operational readiness among the participating nations.
Malabar, which originated as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States in 1992, has evolved into a crucial multilateral event aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing shared maritime challenges. The inclusion of Australia and Japan in recent years has further cemented the Quad as a vital force in the region.
As the Quad continues to strengthen its ties, Malabar 2024 serves as a tangible demonstration of their growing cooperation. The exercise not only enhances military capabilities but also reinforces the Quad’s shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific as well as a rules-based international order.
