The U.S. will join the first Malabar naval exercise in Australia, which will start on Friday, Aug. 11, off the coast of Sydney.
US to Join 1st Malabar Naval Exercise in Australia
According to Reuters' latest report, the U.S., together with Australia, Japan, and India, will hold the Malabar Naval exercise this 2023.
Before the military activity, Indian and Japanese navy vessels stopped in Pacific Island countries Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
This just shows the strategic importance of the region as the tension between China and the United States intensifies.
On Thursday, Aug. 10, a press conference happened in Sydney. Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, the Commander of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, attended this event.
He clarified that the Malabar naval exercise doesn't aim to make an issue with a country, saying that it specifically aims to improve the ability of the four nations to work with one another.
"The deterrence that our four nations provide as we operate together as a Quad is a foundation for all the other nations operating in this region," he explained.
"Oceania, the island nations that are just northeast of Australia...all of our nations now are focusing on those countries," added Thomas.
About Malabar Naval Exercise 2023
Asian News International reported that the Malabar navy exercise 2023 is a 10-day naval drill that aims to deepen the interoperability between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia.
Aside from this, the activity will also enhance the partnership for the Indo-Pacific region.
When the Malabar navy exercise start, two major Australian ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane, will perform an entry into the Sydney Harbour.
After that, these vessels will proceed out to an exercise area off the coast of New South Wales.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy will bring its multi-role stealth frigate INS Sahyadri, as well as its INS Kolkata, an indigenous destroyer.
The United States will bring a destroyer and Japan will participate with its major surface vessel.
