The Malaysian and Australian navies are conducting a week-long bilateral maritime warfare exercise, Mastex, in the Straits of Melaka, Malaysia.

The Australian Anzac class frigates, HMAS Parramatta and Ballarat, will exercise alongside Malaysian corvettes KD Lekiu and KD Kelantan and will involve the use of multinational air assets.

The exercises will help both navies to improve their operations and mutual understanding in common aspects of naval warfare, reports Bernama.

HMAS Parramatta commanding officer Heath Robertson said the exercises will enable the navy to improve in the area of maritime security, including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare scenarios.