Japan Defense Focus No.143

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4+@M/N+%'Malabar 2021 in the Bay of BengalFrom October 11 to 14, JMSDF JS Kaga and JS Murasame of the Indo-Pacific Deploy-ment unit conducted a multilateral exercise “Malabar 2021” with vessels such as the U.S. Navy USS Carl Vinson, Indian Navy INS Ranvijay and Australian Navy HMAS Ballarat in the Bay of Bengal. Cooperation among Japan, the U.S., India and Australia, which share fundamental values such as democracy and the rule of law, is essential for upholding and reinforcing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific." The JMOD/JSDF will continue to pursue deepening cooperation among the defense authorities of these nations.Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Bay of BengalFrom October 15 to 18, JMSDF JS Kaga and JS Murasame of the Indo-Pacific Deployment unit conduct-ed a multilateral exercise with vessels such as the U.S. Navy USS Carl Vinson, the Royal Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth of CSG21 and Australian Navy HMAS Ballarat in the Bay of Bengal. It marked the 9th exercise with CSG21, which showed deepened friendship between Japan and the UK. This exercise showed our strong and irreversible bond to uphold and reinforce a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” with these nations, with whom we share fundamental values and strategic interests.Feature2Multilateral Exercises with Aircraft