Australia Participates In Joint Maritime Exercise

Australia Participates In Joint Maritime Exercise

Today marks the commencement of MALABAR 2/07 in the Bay of Bengal and also heralds the inaugural participation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at the request of the Indian Navy. Exercise MALABAR is an annual maritime training exercise conducted between the navies of India and the United States.

The RAN will be represented by the frigate HMAS Adelaide and the fleet oiler HMAS Sirius. The ships will join several other naval forces from India, the United States, Singapore and Japan for the week-long exercise.

Exercise MALABAR will consist of a series of graduated training serials and weapon practices designed to increase interoperability among the participants. It will also feature an opportunity to improve standard operating procedures used in the execution of maritime security operations.

Over 20,000 personnel from the five nations will participate in the exercise. Training will focus on aspects ranging from maritime security to co-ordinated interdiction functions.

"Exercise MALABAR is a great training opportunity and is advantageous to the readiness and professional development of the participating navies," Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, AM, RAN, said.

"The Royal Australian Navy looks forward to strengthening their bonds and personal relationships with participating navies, and I thank India for the invitation to attend," Rear Admiral Coates said.

MALABAR 2/07 represents the eleventh iteration of the MALABAR exercise series, the last of which was held in April 2007 off the coast of Japan.

ENDS

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