Exercise Malabar begins in Bay of Bengal

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017,10

India, US and Japanese navies has begun exercise, MALABAR-17 in the Bay of Bengal with the aim to increase interoperability between the three navies well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

The main objective of the exercise is to deepen the military ties between three countries.

About MALABAR-17 

• The exercise will held in 2 phase , professional interactions during the Harbour phase at Chennai and operational activities at sea during the sea phase.
• Sea phase also includes Aircraft Carrier operations, Air Defence, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Surface Warfare, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue, Joint Manoeuvres and Tactical procedures
• Indian Navy will be represented by aircraft carrier INS Vikramditya.

About Malabar Exercise: 

• It is a Trilateral Naval Exercise which includes India, US and Japan.
• It was begun in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US, later in 2015 Japan has included as permanent member.
• The past non-member participants are Singapore and Australia.
• The exercise will take place alternatively in Indian and western Pacific Ocean.
• The exercise will be held in two phases, Harbour phase and at Sea Phase.
• The exercise includes diverse activities including complex surface, sub-surface and air operations
• It will help maritime security in the Indo-pacific region which will benefit the global maritime community