It saw participation of 11 surface ships including a nuclear powered aircraft carrier

The 26th edition of the multinational national maritime exercise Malabar 22 between the navies of India, the US, Japan, and Australia, ended on Tuesday (November 15) in the seas off Japan.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) hosted this edition, which also commemorated the exercise's 30-year anniversary.

From the Indian side, Shivalik and Kamorta, two Eastern Fleet vessels belonging to the Indian Navy, who were under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, participated in the exercise.

During the five-day sea phase of Malabar 22, which took place close to Yokosuka, live weapon firings, surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare simulations, and tactical procedures were all undertaken by the navies of all countries.

Additionally, the War at Sea exercise, which allowed the four navies to strengthen interoperability and sharpen their tactical abilities, was another pivotal moment of the sea phase.

The high-tempo exercise saw the participation of eleven surface ships including a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with its integral air elements, alongwith four long-range maritime patrol aircraft, integral helicopters and two submarines.

The exercise also involved exchange of 'Sea Riders' between various participating ships, India's Ministry of Defence said.

Along with operational drills and exercises, this version of Exercise Malabar also served to ratify the bilateral logistical support agreements between the participating nations.

The exercise improved participants' comprehension of one another's operational approaches and their capacity to work together to address a variety of marine difficulties.

The Malabar series of exercises, which were initially a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and the US in 1992, gained greater prominence after the navies of Australia and Japan joined.