India, US, Japan & Australia kick-off Malabar naval exercise

Quad countries – India, US, Japan and Australia kicked off the second phase of this year’s Malabar naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal Tuesday. The second phase, to be held till October15, will focus on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolution and weapon firings. Indian Navy said, the exercise will seek to build on the synergy, coordination and interoperability developed during the first phase held in August.
The navies of the Quad nations conducted the first phase of the drills near the Pacific Ocean island of Guam from August 26 to 29. It involved destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, helicopters, long-range maritime patrol aircraft and elite Special Forces elements, including US Navy SEALs and Indian Navy’s marine commandos, also know as MARCOS.
The Indian Navy will participate in the second phase with INS Ranvijay, INS Satpura, P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft and a submarine, the statement said. The US Navy will be represented by aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, and two destroyers, USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale. Japan will be represented by JS Kaga and JS Murasame, while the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.