Second Phase Of Malabar Exercise To Begin From Tomorrow

New Delhi, November 16: Amid the ongoing border stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh, the second phase of Exercise Malabar 2020 between India, the United States, Japan, and Australia is scheduled to be held in the Arabian Sea from 17 to 20 November 2020. This exercise aims to counter China at sea.

 

 

Phase 2 of Exercise MALABAR 2020 will witness joint operations, centered around the Vikramaditya Carrier Battle Group of the Indian Navy and Nimitz Carrier Strike Group of the US Navy. Indian Navy spokesperson informs that INS Vikramaditya along with the Navy's carrier battle group going to participate in the war game and with US' Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, warships of Australia and Japan.

 

The two carriers, along with other ships, submarine, and aircraft of the participating navies, would be engaged in high-intensity naval operations over four days.

 

These exercises include cross-deck flying operations and advanced air defence exercises by MIG 29K fighters of VikramadityaandF-18 fighters and E2C Hawkeye from Nimitz. In addition, advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions, and weapon firings will also be undertaken to further enhance inter-operability and synergy between the four friendly navies.

 

In addition to Vikramaditya and its fighter and helicopter air-wings, indigenous destroyers Kolkata and Chennai, stealth frigate Talwar, Fleet Support Ship Deepak, and integral helicopters will also participate in the exercise, led by Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. Indigenously built submarineKhanderiand P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Navy will also showcase their capabilities during the exercise.

 

The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992, has seen increasing scope and complexity over the years. The 24th edition of MALABAR, which is being presently undertaken, highlights enhanced convergence of views amongst the four vibrant democracies on maritime issues and showcases their commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.

 

The first phase of the Malabar 2020 was held earlier this month off the Visakhapatnam coast. Australia participated in the mega exercise for the first time in 13 years, bringing all four Quad countries together for the military games.

 

The first phase, held from November 3 to 6, witnessed complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare drills, cross deck flying along with weapon firing exercises.