Malabar 2024: Opening Ceremony Marks The Beginning Of The Multinational Maritime Exercise

The opening ceremony of Exercise MALABAR 2024 was held onboard Indian Naval Ship (INS) Satpura under the auspices of the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam. The 28th edition of the prestigious multi-national maritime exercise began on 08 October 2024 and will continue until 18 October 2024. Initially launched in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, MALABAR has since expanded into a significant quadrilateral engagement, with Japan and Australia joining in subsequent editions.

The opening event, hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, was attended by senior military dignitaries from the participating nations. Notable attendees included General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan; Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander, US Pacific Fleet; Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi, Commander-in-Chief, Japan Self-Defense Fleet; and Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Commander of the Australian Fleet. Delegates and military personnel from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States were also present.

In their addresses, the naval commanders emphasized the importance of Exercise MALABAR in fostering collaboration and mutual understanding among the participating nations, helping to address shared maritime challenges and creating a cooperative framework for the future.

A Two-Phased Maritime Drill

The exercise will be conducted in two distinct phases: one at Harbour and the other at Sea, involving high-intensity joint drills. MALABAR 2024 will feature live weapon firings and intricate surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare drills. Participating units include destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and fleet support ships, along with maritime patrol aircraft, jet aircraft, integral helicopters, and submarine assets.

This joint exercise underlines the growing defense cooperation between these nations, emphasizing their shared objectives of ensuring maritime security and promoting regional stability. Aligned with India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, MALABAR 2024 represents India's commitment to enhanced maritime cooperation with like-minded nations.

This high-tempo exercise continues to strengthen military coordination and operational synergy, reaffirming the importance of joint naval operations in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.