The Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), 1st Surface Unit, JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Sydney, Australia, to participate in the multilateral exercise “MALABAR 2023”.

From August 11 to 15, the 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Sydney, Australia, to participate in the Japan-US-India-Australia multilateral exercise “MALABAR 2023”.
The exercise MALABAR began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and India, and Australia has participated since 2020, while the JMSDF has participated since 2007. This is the first time that Australia has hosted the exercise.
Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet, Vice Admiral SAITO Akira said, "The four countries of Japan, the United States, India, and Australia respect universal values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. In addition, we value and uphold international law, we oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force. I sincerely hope that Malabar 2023 will further deepen the friendship between us, and that our collective efforts will serve as a foundation for peace and prosperity throughout the international community.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.