Visakhapatnam, Nov 3 (Representative) Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kamorta have arrived at Yokosuka, Japan for participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR) scheduled at Sagami Bay Off Yokosuka on November 6. The participating Indian Naval Ships, which reached Wednesday, are indigenously designed and developed multi-role Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti–Submarine Corvette respectively and form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam. The IFR marks the 70th anniversary of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), HQ Eastern Naval Command(ENC) said in a release here on Thursday. The International Fleet Review will be done by Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and will include participation of 40 ships and submarines from 13 countries.
On completion, the Indian Navy ships will participate in the 26th edition of exercise Malabar-22 with ships from Australia, Japan and the US. Malabar series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 and has grown in complexity over the years. It includes four prominent navies in the Indo-Pacific region. Malabar-22 will witness high-tempo exercises between participating platforms in multiple domains.Complex surface, sub-surface and air operations, including live firing drills are scheduled during the exercise. Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding , Eastern Fleet will have operational discussions with Commander, US Seventh Fleet and Commander Escort Force 3 (JMSDF) as part of Malabar-22.