The complex exercises will include both sea and harbor phases with top commanders of Quad navies discussing the Indo-Pacific, reports Hindustan Times.

With India having a logistics agreement with all the other three QUAD partners, the Indian Navy will participate with its top-of-the-line destroyers, P 8 I anti-submarine warfare aircraft and a submarine at the Malabar 2023, which started as a Indo-US bilateral exercise way back in 1992. Japan was made a permanent partner in 2015 and Australia joined in 2020 to complete the Quad, the newspaper reported.

According to officials, the basic focus of the naval exercise will be anti-submarine warfare operations with the PLA Navy getting belligerent in the Indo-Pacific after laying claims on the entire South China much to the chagrin of ASEAN countries like Philippines and Indonesia in particular.

Meanwhile,  the 4th edition of the Indo-Indonesia bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 concluded in the South China Sea.

The sea phase held from 17-19 May 2023 witnessed the participation of ASW corvette INS Kavaratti with integral Chetak helicopter and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The Indonesian Navy assets included KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda with integral helicopter Panther and a CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

A series of complex exercises including tactical manoeuvres, weapon firings, helicopter operations, Air defence and Anti-Submarine warfare exercises were undertaken that enhanced interoperability between the two navies.

The sea phase was preceded by a fruitful harbour phase which saw professional interactions, table top exercises and sports exchanges.

The successful completion of Exercise Samudra Shakti-23, illustrated the strong partnership between India and Indonesia and reaffirmed the commitment of both navies to promote peace and stability in the region through cooperative engagements.