Second phase of multi-lateral naval Exercise Malabar 2020 concludes

Maritime forces from Australia, India, Japan, and the US have wrapped up the second phase of the Exercise Malabar 2020.

On 17 November, the Indian Ministry of Defence announced the start of the second phase of Exercise Malabar 2020 in the Northern Arabian Sea.

The multi-lateral naval exercise is said to have enhanced the integration between the maritime forces of the four nations.

Destroyer Squadron 9 commander captain Elaine Collins said: “The exercises conducted during Malabar provided opportunities to enhance our interoperability and strengthens our maritime partnerships with India, Australia, and Japan.

“Our ability to replenish ships at sea, conduct live firing exercises and communicate with one another, ship-to-ship, demonstrates our cooperation and shared goals of fostering security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

This phase involved joint operations centred around the Indian Navy’s Vikramaditya Carrier Battle Group and the US Navy’s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

Participating nations were able to boost the integration of their naval air forces with the help of air and air defence exercises.

Carrier Air Wing 17 commander captain Todd Cimicata said: “Operating with Australia, India, and Japan via cross-deck landings, carrier landing approaches and aerial refuelling during Malabar has been instrumental in enhancing the compatibility of our naval air forces.

“We are honoured by the professionalism of our partners and look forward to flying together again as we reinforce our mutual desire to improve maritime security in the global commons.”

During the second phase, assets from the four countries carried out photo exercise, night operations, air defence exercises and helicopter cross-deck evolutions.

Additionally, carrier landing approaches, underway replenishment approaches, gunnery exercises, and antisubmarine warfare exercises were conducted.

The first phase of Exercise Malabar 2020 took place in the Bay of Bengal, from 3 to 6 November.