Australia has joined India, Japan, and the United States for Exercise Malabar 2025, a major Indo-Pacific naval drill aimed at strengthening coordination and interoperability among the four Quad nations.

 

 

Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said the exercise underscores the value of regional partnerships amid evolving security challenges. He added that complex drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and replenishment at sea help build trust and readiness among participating forces.

 

 

Originally launched in 1992 as a bilateral India-US exercise, Malabar has evolved into a key Quad maritime initiative involving India, Japan, Australia, and the US. Australia last hosted the exercise in 2023. While not a military alliance, the Quad uses the drill to enhance maritime security and uphold freedom of navigation in the region.