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Australia to Host Exercise Malabar for the First Time

August 11, 2023

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Lieutenant Laura Frayling together with Lieutenant Commander Brad Williams and regional partners, with her commendation from the Exercise Director for her unremitting enthusiasm, dynamic leadership and outstanding performance during Exercise Kakadu 22. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) is being conducted in Darwin and the Northern Australian Exercise area (NAXA) from 12-24 September 2022. KA 22 is the 15th iteration of the RANs flagship biennial regional Maritime International Engagement exercise and is expected to draw together approximately 3000 personnel, 17 warships and 34 aircraft from 22 countries. The exercise theme is Partnership, Leadership and Friendship. Exercise Kakadu is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN)-led biennial exercise supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RANs flagship regional international engagement activity, Exercise Kakadu has grown in size and complexity since its inception in 1993. Exercise Kakadu provides an opportunity for regional partners to undertake multinational maritime activities ranging from constabulary operations to high-end maritime warfare in a combined environment.

Today Australia welcomes key partners India, Japan and the United States to Sydney as it prepares to host Exercise Malabar for the first time.

Exercise Malabar is an important Indo-Pacific military exercise that seeks to deepen interoperability between participating regional partners. This year marks the 27th iteration of the Malabar series, held in the Sydney and across Australia’s east from 10 to 21 August.

Royal Australian Navy Ships HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Choules are participating in the exercise, with Navy MH60R helicopters and Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II, Hawk 127 and P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

They will join partner nations in high-end training including air defence and anti-submarine exercises, aviation, communications and replenishment at sea between ships.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“It is an honour to host Exercise Malabar for the first time here in Australia.

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

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

Quotes attributable to the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO:

“The Royal Australian Navy is honoured the Indian Navy has provided us the opportunity to host Exercise Malabar; reinforcing the trust and strength of our Navy to Navy relationship.

‘’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.”

“Exercise Malabar is an investment in Australia’s Navy to Navy relationships, as well as the relationship between the four Navies involved. In this way we complement diplomatic efforts to deepen our regional ties and contribute to a region based on trust and respect.”