Malabar Naval Exercise begins

The 21st edition of the Malabar naval exercise 2017 began on Monday with HCS Bisht, flag officer commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command, declaring the exercise open. The Malabar Exercise was conducted annually by the US and India in the Bay of Bengal since 1992. For the fourth consecutive year, Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) has also been participating in it. The exercise aims at achieving deeper military ties between the three nations. The three nations will get a chance to display their country’s prowess. The US will be displaying its  US Ship Nimitz (CVN68), guided missile cruise USS Princeton (CG59), guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG83), USS Shoup (DDG86) and USS Kidd (DDG100), a Poseidon P-8A aircraft as well as a Los Angeles fast-attack submarine. According to an official press release, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force ships JS Izumo (DDH 183), JS Sazanami (DD1 13) along with Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa and INS Vikramaditya will also participate in the joint Naval exercise. Through this exercise, the three nations can learn more about submarine familiarization, air defence exercises, medical evacuation drills, surface ware fare exercises, communication exercise and search and rescue operations. The naval exercise will help to strengthen the bonds and personal relationships of Indian, Japanese and US maritime forces who already have an understanding and knowledge of shared working environment at sea.