A line of warships last month (Aug) proceeds into Sydney Harbour heading for Fleet Base East ahead of taking part in Exercise Malabar 2023.

They are (from nearest): INS Sahyadri (Indian frigate), JS Shiranui (Japanese destroyer), INS Kolkata (Indian destroyer) and HMAS Brisbane (Australian destroyer). Exercise Malabar, which has been run since 1992 (originally involving only the USA and India) in 2023 had four participating navies, conducting high-end naval warfare training, including air defence, anti-submarine procedures and Replenishment-at-Sea.

A US Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine and destroyer were America’s contribution this time, while host nation Australia also committed the landing ship HMAS Choules.

Photo: POIS Peter Thompson/RAN.