The second phase of the Indian Navy’s exercise ‘Malabar’ begins in the northern Arabian Sea on Tuesday. In this, Vikramaditya aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, Nimitz, the American aircraft carrier and the ships deployed on the front fronts of the Navy of Australia and Japan will conduct four days of manoeuvres.
Officials said that during this exercise, a coordinated expedition would be practised by the navies of the ‘Quad’ group countries to increase their ability to work together. It is noteworthy that the first phase of the Malabar exercise took place in the Bay of Bengal between November 3 and 6, during which submarine warfare and sea-to-air capability were practised.
The exercise is taking place at a time when there has been a deadlock between India and China at the border in East Ladakh for the last six months, which has strained relations between the two countries. “The second phase of the Malabar exercise will take place in the northern Arabian Sea between November 17 and 20,” the Navy said in a statement.
According to the statement, at the centre of the campaign will be Vikramaditya aircraft carrier and the battle group deployed on Nimitz. The Navy said the manoeuvres are intended to increase coordination between the four vibrant democratic countries on the maritime issue and to show the Indo-Pacific region’s commitment to maintaining an open, inclusive and rule-based international order.
The manoeuvre led by the USS Nimitz, a US-based offensive group, will participate in the exercise, which will significantly increase the effectiveness of the exercise. The USS Nimitz is the largest warship in the world. This battle group is a large naval fleet consisting of aircraft carriers as well as a large number of destroyers, frigates and other vessels. This manoeuvre will include cruisers Princeton and Destroyer Strait with Pimitz and P8M marine reconnaissance aircraft.
