Australia has joined India, Japan and the United States for Exercise Malabar, a major maritime activity designed to strengthen cooperation between regional partners in the Indo-Pacific.
The Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Ballarat, is taking part in the exercise in the west Pacific training area from 10 to 18 November. A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will also participate, flying missions from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, RAN, said evolving regional security challenges make joint training and partnerships increasingly vital.
“Through Exercise Malabar, Australia and partner nations are strengthening Indo-Pacific security by tackling shared challenges, coordinating collective strength and closing gaps in global engagement,” he said.
He added that complex drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence and replenishment at sea help build trust and readiness among the participating nations. “Through these exercises, we develop the interoperability and confidence needed to respond to our collective security challenges,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
Established in 1992 as a bilateral training exercise between India and the United States, Exercise Malabar has grown into one of the most important defence collaborations in the region. Australia hosted last year’s iteration.
Commander Dean Uren, Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat, said his crew was eager to train alongside some of the region’s most advanced and professional forces.
“Our participation in Exercise Malabar forms part of our three-month Regional Presence Deployment from Australia, and is fantastic opportunity to enhance interoperability with key Indo-Pacific partners,” Commander Uren said.
“With a crew of 177 and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, HMAS Ballarat brings significant capability to Exercise Malabar. Training alongside regional partners ensures our people and platforms are ready to respond to any challenge and deter coercion in the Indo-Pacific.”
HMAS Ballarat is equipped for air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction missions. Its systems can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines, underscoring the depth of Australia’s contribution to collective regional security.
Exercise Malabar runs from 10 to 18 November in the west Pacific training area.
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
