The Indian Navy’s indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, INS Sahyadri, reached Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan to participate in the multilateral naval exercise MALABAR 2026. Defence Ministry said that the ship was accorded a warm welcome by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, reflecting the enduring strategic partnership and growing maritime cooperation between India and Japan.

 

The Ministry said that MALABAR 2026 brings together the navies of India, Japan, the United States and Australia, providing an opportunity for participating maritime forces to enhance operational coordination, strengthen interoperability and exchange professional expertise through a series of engagements in harbour and at sea. The harbour phase will include professional interactions and coordinated planning, followed by the sea phase involving INS Sahyadri and participating units of the United States, Australia and Japan. 

 

The Ministry said that these engagements will further strengthen mutual trust and cooperation while contributing to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific. The Ministry said that INS Sahyadri’s participation in MALABAR 2026 underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to fostering maritime partnerships and advancing cooperation with like-minded navies in the region, in consonance with the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).