Malabar Exercise in Bay of Bengal
New Delhi: The first phase of 24th edition of multinational maritime exercise Malabar culminated on Friday in the Bay of Bengal.
Began on November 3, the exercise was restricted to the sea phase and conducted in ‘zero contact’ format considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The exercise witnessed live weapon firings, surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare drills, joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures leading up to a culmination with advanced War-at-Sea exercise, Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
The high-tempo exercise saw the participation of five destroyers and frigates, one Fleet Support Ship, one Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) along with long-range maritime patrol aircraft, advanced jet trainers, integral helicopters, and a submarine.
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Indian Navy was represented by Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Ranvijay, Shakti, Sukanya, and one submarine operating under the Command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
The US Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy were represented by Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS John S McCain, Takanami class destroyer JS Onami and ANZAC class frigate HMAS Ballarat respectively.
The phase 2 of naval exercise is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea in mid November.
