Malabar 2019: Trilateral Naval Exercise Between India, Japan And US To Begin From Tomorrow Off The Coast Of Japan

In its 23rd edition this year, the trilateral maritime exercise between India, Japan and United States (US) is scheduled to be conducted from 26 September to 4 October off the coast of Japan.

Two frontline indigenously designed and built Indian naval ships, the Multipurpose Guided Missile Frigate Sahyadri and ASW Corvette Kiltan have been dispatched for the exercises, along with a P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

The US Navy is being represented by USS McCampbell, a Los Angeles-Class Attack Submarine and a P8A long-range maritime patrol aircraft. The Japanese Navy would be participating with its Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer JS Kaga, Guided Missile Destroyers JS Samidare and Choukai and a P1 long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

The exercise would encompass conduct of complex maritime operations in the surface, sub-surface and air domains, and focus on Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Air and Anti-Surface Firings, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) including Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.