Sanjha Morcha

Malabar drill begins, focus on hunting subs

Malabar drill begins, focus on hunting subs
US and Japan Navy ships at a harbour during inauguration of joint naval drill with India, in Chennai. AFP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 10

The eight-day joint naval exercise ‘Malabar’ between India, US and Japan commenced in the Bay Bengal today with special focus on hunting submarines at sea.Started in 1992 between the Indian and US navies, the exercise has steadily grown in scope, complexity and participation into a multifaceted exercise with the participation of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). This is the 21st edition of the exercise and the primary aim is to increase interoperability amongst the three navies as well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations. The scope of the exercise includes wide-ranging professional interactions during the ‘Harbour Phase’ at Chennai from July 10-13 and a diverse range of operational activities at sea during the ‘Sea Phase’ from July 14-17. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The thrust of the exercises at sea this year would be on aircraft carrier operations, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, visit board search and seizure, search and rescue, joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures. In addition, officials from the three countries will be flown onboard the ships at sea on July 15.The Indian Navy will be represented by aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya with its air wing, guided missile destroyer Ranvir, indigenous stealth frigates Shivalik and Sahyadri, indigenous ASW corvette Kamorta, missile corvettes Kora and Kirpan, one Sindhughosh class submarine, fleet tanker INS Jyoti and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I. The US Navy will be represented by the ships from the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and other units from the US 7th Fleet. The US Navy forces will include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Nimitz and a Los Angeles-class attack submarine among other ships.The Japanese shall be represented by JS Izumo, a helicopter carrier with helicopters and JS Sazanami, a missile destroyer.Highlights

  • 16 warships, two submarines and more than 95 aircraft of Indian, US and Japanese navies are participating in the exercise
  • 8 day drill comprises professional interactions from July 10-13 and a diverse range of operational activities at sea from July 14-17