Hello People!
In today’s blog we will talk about the Malabar naval exercise. India is participating in this exercise with navies of Australia, Japan and Australia. These exercises help to establish India’s military capabilities while also securing allies who will assist in times of need. India already participated in 36th India- Indonesia CORPAT and Al-Mohed Al Hind naval exercises this year.
Let us start by knowing about what Malabar exercise is.
Malabar Exercise
Malabar is a multilateral naval war-gaming exercise that began in 1992. It began as a bilateral exercise between India’s and the United States’ navies.
After two more editions of the exercise in 1995 and 1996, there was a break until 2002 in the aftermath of India’s nuclear tests.
Since 2002, the exercise has been held every year. Japan and Australia were the first to take part in 2007. Every year since 2014, India, the United States, and Japan have taken part in the exercise. Australia rejoined the exercise in 2020.
Nations Participating
This year the navies of Quad (Quadrilateral Framework) Nations i.e., India, the United States, Japan, and Australia participated in the 25th Edition of this exercise. It began off the coast of Guam in the Pacific Ocean.
Activities
Malabar-21 would be subjected to complex exercises such as anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare drills, as well as other manoeuvres and tactical exercises.
The exercise will allow participating navies to benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences.Such complex exercises have further enhanced synergy and mutual understanding among the four navies in undertaking joint maritime security operations. It will also strengthen the coordination between the navies of the participating countries.
Warships Participating
INS Shivalik multirole frigate, the INS Kadmatt anti-submarine warfare corvette, and the P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft will represent India’s navy.
The United States Navy will be represented by the USS Barry, USNS Rappahannock, USNS Big Horn, and PSA patrol planes.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will be represented by the destroyers JS Kaga, JS Murasame, and JS Shiranui, as well as a submarine and P1 patrol aircraft.
HMAS Warramunga will represent the Royal Australian Navy.
LAST YEAR
The exercise was conducted in two phases last year, the first off the coast of Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal, and the second in the Arabian Sea in November.
The exercise was held off the coast of Japan in 2019, and in the Philippine Sea in 2018.
Last year, “dual carrier” operations were carried out—joint operations centred on the Indian Navy’s Vikramaditya Carrier Battle Group and the US Navy’s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.
Australia’s Return and its importance
The main reason is China. The Quad, which consists of four powerful navies in the Indo-Pacific region, has irritated China, which is flexing its military power around the world.
Previously, India had not expanded Malabar due to the risk of enraging China, and to some extent, why Australia had withdrawn after 2007.
However, with China’s relations with all four participating countries strained and a military standoff in eastern Ladakh lasting more than 15 months, the Malabar sends a strong message.
China’s Reaction to the exercise
China’s military on Thursday criticised large-scale military exercises conducted by the United States and its allies in the South China Sea, as well as Quad-country naval drills in Malabar. It said that Wahington is instigating conflict by forming gangs thereby leading to tensions.
Other exercise with Quad Countries
India-US: Yudha Abhyas (Army), Vajra Prahar (Military), Spitting Cobra, SANGAM, RED FLAG, COPE INDIA.
India-Japan: Dharma Guardian (military exercise), JIMEX (naval exercise), Shinyuu Maitri (air force exercise)
India-Australia: Austra Hind, AUSINDEX (Maritime), Pitch Black
With this we come to the end of this blog. We covered all the relevant points related to the malabar exercise 2021. We mentioned its significance, warships that are participating and Ouad nations.
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