All shipshape for war games on Australia’s door step

Kat Wong | August 11, 2023

Sydney Harbour will be teeming with navy personnel as Australia hosts a key international exercise for the first time.

For the next 10 days, ships, helicopters and aircraft from the US, India and Japan will join with Australia to engage in a full spectrum of warfare activities as they increase military co-operation.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says it is an honour for Australia to host Exercise Malabar.

“Amid the current strategic circumstances, it is more important than ever we partner with our neighbours and deepen our defence partnerships,” he said.

“Cooperation, shared understanding and knowledge coupled with training contributes to shared security and prosperity for our region.”

As part of Exercise Malabar, the four nations, who form the strategic security dialogue Quad, will conduct air defence and anti-submarine training alongside aviation, communications and replenishment drills.

Notable Australian participants include HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Choules, MH60R helicopters alongside F-35A Lightning II, Hawk 127 and P-8A Poseidon air crafts.

Royal Australian Navy vice admiral Mark Hammond says the exercises help bolster relationships between the countries. 

“‘This esteemed exercise provides rich opportunities for our people to work and train together, to be prepared as high-functioning teams ready to face the complex challenges of the maritime domain,” he said.

“In this way we complement diplomatic efforts to deepen our regional ties and contribute to a region based on trust and respect.”

Exercise Malabar has taken place in different locations around the Indo-Pacific since 2002 and has generally been a bilateral event between India and the US.

Australia briefly joined the military activities in 2007 before a 13-year hiatus.

All four members of the Quad have taken part in since 2020.

Exercise Malabar will kick off the day after US president Joe Biden announced plans to host Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House in October.

The US is also set to host Pacific island leaders at the end of the year as part of Mr Biden’s plan to strengthen America’s standing in the region.