Navy warships reach Guam for Malabar exercises

New Delhi: In an effort to increase its presence in the Pacific region and strengthen Quad alliance, Indian Navy ships have reached Guam for the Malabar series of exercises to commence shortly. The Malabar series comprises the Quad countries including India, US, Japan and Australia.

Giving details of the forthcoming exercise, navy official said here on Sunday warships INS Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Guam, an Island Territory of the USA on Saturday as part of their on-going deployment to nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The two ships are scheduled to participate in the annual Exercise Malabar between navies of Australia, India, Japan and the USA. 

Malabar series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral India-US exercise and has grown in stature over the years to include four prominent navies in the Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

As part of the Exercise, Vice Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command will have operational discussions with Rear Admiral Leonard C. “Butch” Dollaga, Commander CTF-74 focussing on developing an action plan and coordinated operations in the maritime domain. Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti would be embarked



onboard INS Shivalik during the conduct of Sea Phase commencing 26 Aug 21.

The latest exercise will be for four days commencing August 26. The drill will provide an opportunity for common minded navies to enhance inter-operability, gain from best practices and develop a common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations.

It will witness high-tempo exercises conducted between Destroyers’, Frigates, Corvettes, Submarines, Helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating navies.

Complex surface, sub-surface and air operations including Live Weapon Firing Drills, Anti-Surface, Anti-Air and Anti-Submarine Warfare Drills, Joint Manoeuvres and Tactical exercises will be conducted during the exercise.

The conduct of these exercises despite Covid restrictions is a testimony of synergy between the participating navies and commitment to safer seas.

The participating Indian Ships are the latest indigenously designed and built, multi-role Guided Missile

Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively and form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, Eastern Naval Command.