NEWS

Kick off Japan-U.S.-India-Australia multilateral exercise Malabar 2022

On November 8, Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet Vice Admiral YUASA Hideki, held the opening ceremony of the Japan-U.S.-India-Australia Multilateral exercise “Malabar 2022” on board the JS HYUGA.
Commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander of Indian Navy Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla and Commander of Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley attended this opening ceremony.
At the start of the exercise, Commander Yuasa said, “We share the common goal of maintaining a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” to safeguard maritime sea lanes for the foreseeable future. We value and uphold international law. We oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force. As we face drastic changes in the global environment this year, it is critical we continue to demonstrate to the world the unity and close cooperation of our four navies. I sincerely hope that Malabar 2022 will further deepen the friendship between us, and that our collective efforts will serve as a foundation for peace and prosperity throughout the world.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintain responsive, safeguards the peace and defense of Japan, continues to integrate with allied and comrade navies, defends maritime order based on the rule of law, and contributes to the stability in the Indo-Pacific region in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”