Exercise Malabar 2025
- Blogs
- September 18, 2025
Syllabus: GS2 / IR, GS3 / Defence & Security
Context:
The 29th edition of Exercise Malabar (2025) was hosted by India off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, featuring all four QUAD members — India, USA, Japan, and Australia.
About Exercise Malabar
- Origin: Began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India & USA.
- Expansion: Japan joined (2007), Australia became a permanent member (2020).
- Nature: High-end naval war-gaming focusing on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
- Host Rotation: The exercise is hosted alternatively by QUAD members.
Malabar 2025 – Key Highlights
- Theme: Integrated operations for “Free, Open & Secure Indo-Pacific.”
- Participation:
- India: Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant, P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
- USA: Carrier Strike Group, F-35 Fighters.
- Japan: Helicopter Destroyer JS Izumo.
- Australia: Hobart-class Destroyer.
- Drills Conducted:
- Carrier battle group ops.
- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) using P-8I & MH-60R helicopters.
- Cyber-security tabletop exercises.
- Amphibious landing ops near Nicobar Islands.
Significance
- Enhances interoperability among QUAD navies.
- Showcases QUAD’s collective resolve in securing the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
- Strengthens India’s strategic positioning as a net security provider.
- Reinforces freedom of navigation and countering grey-zone tactics in South China Sea.
- Boosts Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) as a strategic hub facing Malacca Strait.