Background
Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving the India, Japan and US as permanent partners. Originally begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, Japan became a permanent partner in 2015. Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapure. The annual Malabar series began in 1992 and includes diverse activities, ranging from fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers through Maritime Interdiction Operations Exercises.
Note:- Three exercises were conducted before 1998, when the Americans suspended exercises after India tested nuclear weapons. However, the United States renewed military contacts following the September 11, 2001, when India joined President George W Bush's campaign against international terrorism.
Malabar 2018;
The 2018 Malabar exercise was conducted from 7 to 16 June 2018 off the coast of Guam in the Phillipine Sea. This was the 22nd edition of the exercise and the first time to be held in United States territory. The exercise is divided into two phases. The harbor phase was held from 7 to 10 June at Naval Base Guam, and the sea phase from 11 to 16 June. The exercise focused on onshore and at-sea training, aircraft carrier operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, visit, board, search and seizure operations and professional exchanges. Based on news reports, India refused Australia participation in the exercise to avoid posturing it as a military group against China.
Key Facts
This edition of annual exercise will focus on high-end war fighting skillsets, subject matter expert and professional exchanges. It will also include control carrier strike group operations, surface and anti-submarine warfare, medical operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, damage control, helicopter operations and visit, board, search and seizure operations.
Indian Navy participation in this year’s exercises will include indigenous stealth frigate INS Sahyadri, fleet tanker INS Shakti, anti-submarine corvette INS Kamorta and P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
