Australia has joined India, Japan and the United States for Exercise Malabar, a major Indo-Pacific maritime drill aimed at strengthening cooperation and combat readiness among regional allies.
The Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft are taking part in the exercise, being held in the West Pacific training area from 10 to 18 November.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, RAN, said Exercise Malabar plays a crucial role in maintaining stability in the region.
“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 added that the complex drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence and replenishment at sea help nations build trust, interoperability and readiness to respond to collective security challenges.
Established in 1992 as a bilateral training activity between India and the United States, Exercise Malabar has evolved into a multilateral event bringing together key Indo-Pacific partners. Australia hosted the previous edition in 2023.
Commander Dean Uren, Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat, said his crew was eager to work with some of the region’s most capable naval forces. “Our participation in Exercise Malabar forms part of our three-month Regional Presence Deployment and is a fantastic opportunity to enhance interoperability with key Indo-Pacific partners,” Commander Uren said.
“Training alongside regional partners ensures our people and platforms are ready to respond to any challenge and deter coercion in the Indo-Pacific.”
With a crew of 177 and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, HMAS Ballarat brings significant capability to the exercise. The frigate is equipped to conduct air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction missions, and can counter multiple threats simultaneously from aircraft, ships and submarines.
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