India will host the joint naval exercise of the Quad nations from October 8, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with other leaders of the group in the US. This 11-day exercise, held annually, focuses on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region through both sea and harbour phases.
The Indian Navy announced that Exercise Malabar 2024 will begin with a Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by the Sea Phase, running until October 18. This year's edition is expected to be the most comprehensive yet, featuring complex operational scenarios and involving a variety of Indian naval assets, including guided missile destroyers, multi-purpose frigates, submarines, fighter jets, and helicopters.
Originally a bilateral exercise between the US and India in 1992, the Malabar exercise has since evolved into a significant multilateral event aimed at enhancing interoperability and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific.
During their recent meeting, top leaders of the Quad announced major steps to enhance maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. One of the key outcomes of the summit was the launch of joint coast guard operations, including the first-ever "Quad-at-Sea" ship observer mission, which is set to begin in 2025. Additionally, a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) was introduced, aimed at maximizing tools provided through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and other initiatives.
Quad is a strategic alliance between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. The recent Quad Leaders' Summit was hosted by US President Joe Biden, with the participation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Malabar 2024 Naval Exercise to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Cooperation from October 8-18
Malabar 2024: International Naval Exercise to Begin in Visakhapatnam on October 8