Visakhapatnam, India — The Sea Phase of Exercise MALABAR 2024 commenced on October 14, off the coast of Visakhapatnam, bringing together naval forces from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States in a demonstration of advanced maritime cooperation.
Warships, helicopters, and long-range maritime patrol aircraft from the four participating nations are conducting joint operations in the Bay of Bengal, showcasing high operational synergy and coordination. This phase of the exercise involves a wide range of maritime warfare drills spanning surface, sub-surface, and aerial combat domains.
Among the highlights of the Sea Phase are subsurface warfare exercises featuring Indian Naval submarines and combined drills involving Special Forces from all participating countries. These complex and advanced exercises aim to enhance mutual understanding and coordination, enabling the four navies to operate seamlessly as a Combined Task Force.
The ongoing drills are expected to further strengthen interoperability between the partner nations and enhance regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Sea Phase of Exercise MALABAR 2024 will conclude with a closing ceremony on October 18.
MALABAR, which started as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. in 1992, has since evolved into a key multilateral engagement, underscoring the growing cooperation between like-minded naval forces in the region and the increasing significance of this exercise in the global maritime landscape.
