The 27th edition of Malabar exercise among India, Australia, Japan and USA concluded on August 21, 2023 off the east coast of Australia near Sydney.

The exercise saw the participation of ships, submarines and aircraft from the Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy (USN).

The Malabar 23 exercise was conducted in two phases, comprising the harbour phase from 11-15 August 2023 and the sea phase from 16-21 August 2023.
The Indian Navy was represented by indigenously built destroyer INS Kolkata, frigate INS Sahyadri and P8I maritime patrol aircraft. Other participating units included the RAN ships HMAS Chaules and HMAS Brisbane, USS Rafael Peralta, JS Shiranui along with submarines, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft and shipborne helicopters.
The sea phase of Exercise Malabar saw complex and high intensity exercises, weapon firings and cross deck helicopter operations in the air, surface and undersea areas.
The joint exercise at sea honed combat skills and enhanced the ability of the four navies to engage in a coordinated manner and various systems of communication and equipment to undertake advanced maritime tasks.
The seamless integration of air assets also demonstrated the exceptional coordination and interoperability between Indian, Australian and US Maritime Patrol Aircraft units.
The exercise not only reaffirmed the capability of the four navies to work together as an integrated force, but also highlighted their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability through cooperative training and mutual understanding.
At the conclusion of five days of diverse exercises, Exercise Malabar demonstrated the strong cooperation, shared values and collective capability of the four participating nations to ensure a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific that promotes peace and security for all. clearly displayed.

Malabar Exercise:

Malabar Naval Exercise first took place in 1992 as a bilateral Indian Navy-United States Navy exercise.
The purpose of Malabar was to ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, especially the South China Sea, amid China's aggressive stance.
Japan became part of the Malabar Exercise in the year 2015. While Australia participated in the Malabar exercise in the year 2020.
These four countries are also part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).
China sees the Malabar exercise as a threat to itself. China alleges that it is targeted through this exercise. For this reason, China had deployed hundreds of its lower orbit satellites to monitor the Malabar exercise.
Through the Malabar exercise, on the one hand, the quad countries have unitedly demonstrated their power, while on the other hand, China had put hundreds of its lower orbit satellites around the exercise area to spy on this exercise.