In a first, Australia Air Force P-8A Poseidon participated in Exercise Malabar 22 off the east coast of Japan, wherein Australian Defence Force (ADF) joined India, Japan and the United States.
“This year, it was the 26 th Exercise Malabar series and for the first time, Australia Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon participated”, said Air Marshal Rob Chipman on a Twitter post. Malabar saw successfully integrate to advance collective planning and the employment of complex warfare tactics, he added.
The exercise, which took place from November 8–15, 2022, involved the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships HMAS Arunta and HMAS Stalwart, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine HMAS Farncomb, and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Regular training sessions and operations with Australia’s military allies improved our capacity to address common regional concerns, according to Air Vice-Marshal Michael Kitcher. Kitcher is the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.
According to Air Vice-Marshal Kitcher, “Australia regularly engages in exercises and training with other three countires to foster mutual understanding and interoperability that supports an open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
The first-ever participation of a RAAF P-8A Poseidon, coupled with RAN ships and a submarine, offered a priceless chance to concentrate on complex maritime warfare, interoperability, and air-maritime integration.
The Australia’s chief of navy also said that he spent fascinating time with Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, during the event. “Freedman shared his view on strategic challenges as they relate to maritime diplomacy, deterrence and defence”, the chief of navy said, adding that his insights are valuable in the current environment which Australian navy serves.
Further, the Australian Navy Chief supported the Australia’s navy men and said that Australian Defence team sharpened the maritime skills in the Exercise Malabar this month. The HMAS Arunta and HMAS Stalwart and other maritime patrol aircrafts are conducting complex warfare training with India, United States and Japan.
This year’s Exercise Malabar at-sea included a range of sophisticated tactical training exercises, from joint war fighting planning scenarios, communications drills, and multinational replenishments-at-sea to submarine operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, naval gunnery exercises, and maritime interdiction operations.
The HMA Ships Arunta and Stalwart will finish up their regional presence assignment in early December before sailing back to Australia.
