By November 9, 2025, INS Sahyadri — India's indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate — arrived at Guam in the Northern Pacific to participate in Exercise Malabar 2025, the annual multilateral naval exercise involving the navies of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia (the Quad nations). The harbour phase of Malabar 2025 included operational planning sessions, communication protocol alignment, familiarisation visits, and sports fixtures among the participating nations. The sea phase (November 13–17) saw operations including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), gunnery firing, underway replenishment (UNREP), and cross-deck helicopter operations. INS Sahyadri, built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, exemplifies India's growing indigenous shipbuilding capability. Exercise Malabar — first held bilaterally between India and the US in 1992 — has evolved into a cornerstone of Quad defence cooperation for maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
INS Sahyadri Arrives in Guam for Exercise Malabar 2025 — Quad Naval Cooperation Strengthened
By November 9, 2025, INS Sahyadri — India's indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate — arrived at Guam in the Northern Pacific to participate in Exercise Malabar 2025, the annual multilateral naval exercise involving the navies of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia (the Quad nations). The harbour phase of Malabar 2025 included operational planning sessions, communication protocol alignment, familiarisation visits, and sports fixtures among the participating nations. The sea phase (November 13–17) saw operations including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), gunnery firing, underway replenishment (UNREP), and cross-deck helicopter operations. INS Sahyadri, built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, exemplifies India's growing indigenous shipbuilding capability. Exercise Malabar — first held bilaterally between India and the US in 1992 — has evolved into a cornerstone of Quad defence cooperation for maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
Key facts
- INS Sahyadri arrived in Guam on November 10, 2025 for Exercise Malabar 2025 with Quad navies.
- Malabar 2025 involves navies of India, USA, Japan, and Australia (Quad nations).
- Sea phase (Nov 13–17) included Anti-Submarine Warfare, VBSS, gunnery, and helicopter operations.
- INS Sahyadri is an indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate.
- Exercise Malabar first held bilaterally between India and US in 1992, now a Quad cornerstone.
- Exercise supports free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific maritime order.
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Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is INS Sahyadri and which exercise did it participate in during November 2025?
INS Sahyadri is an indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate of the Indian Navy. In November 2025, it participated in Exercise Malabar 2025 at Guam in the Northern Pacific, alongside navies of the USA, Japan, and Australia.
Which countries participate in Exercise Malabar, and when did it originate?
Exercise Malabar involves the navies of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — the four Quad nations. It originated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US, and has evolved into a multilateral Quad naval exercise.
What activities were conducted during the sea phase of Exercise Malabar 2025?
The sea phase (November 13–17, 2025) included Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations, gunnery firing drills, helicopter cross-deck operations, and maritime replenishment at sea.
What strategic objective does Exercise Malabar serve in the Indo-Pacific region?
Exercise Malabar supports a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific maritime order. It enhances interoperability among Quad navies, builds collective deterrence against coercive maritime behaviour, and demonstrates commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight.
What is the significance of INS Sahyadri being indigenously built in the context of India's defence policy?
INS Sahyadri is a product of India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) defence initiative. Its indigenous design and construction under the Shivalik-class programme demonstrates India's growing capability in advanced naval shipbuilding, reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
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