The sea phase of the prestigious Malabar 2024 naval exercises wrapped up off the coast of Visakhapatnam on Friday evening, marking the end of a series of high-intensity maritime drills. Hosted by India, this year’s edition saw active participation from the naval forces of the United States, Japan, and Australia, further cementing their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the 10-day exercises, warships, integral helicopters, long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and submarines from the four nations took part in complex and advanced drills across surface, sub-surface, and air warfare domains. The operations included surface weapon firings, anti-air operations, air defense drills, and anti-submarine warfare tactics, showcasing the multi-dimensional capabilities of the participating forces.
Additionally, the units carried out extensive shipborne helicopter operations, seamanship evolutions, refueling from tankers, and maritime interdiction exercises. These drills were designed to improve interoperability and refine tactical coordination among the navies, enhancing their ability to jointly respond to evolving maritime security challenges.
A statement from the Eastern Naval Command on Saturday underscored that Malabar 2024’s sea phase demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the participating nations to foster collaboration, engagement, and shared understanding in the maritime domain. As the world faces increasingly complex maritime security threats, exercises like Malabar play a crucial role in ensuring preparedness and strengthening alliances.
The sea phase concluded with a formal ceremony where operational achievements were reviewed, and representatives from the participating navies interacted, sharing valuable experiences and best practices. This marks another successful chapter in the Malabar series, reinforcing the deepening naval ties between India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
Leave a comment