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U.S. Navy and Quad Navies Conclude Malabar 2025 Near Guam In Major Integrated Deterrence Drill.
On 20 November 2025, the Exercise Malabar 2025, involving U.S. 7th Fleet, Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force, successfully wrapped up 10-18 November in and around Guam. The exercise reinforces Quad states’ ability to conduct high-end maritime operations in the second island chain, signaling their long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific amid intensified regional competition.
On 20 November 2025, Australia, India, Japan and the United States confirmed the successful completion of Exercise Malabar 2025 around Guam, held from 10 to 18 November, as reported by Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Launched in 1992 as a U.S.–India bilateral drill, Malabar has become one of the main operational frameworks for cooperation between the four navies. Against a backdrop of intensifying competition at sea in the Indo-Pacific and growing concern over the security of key sea lines, this edition highlights the ability of the “Quad” partners to train together around a major U.S. hub in the second island chain. The exercise is relevant not only for the tactical skills it develops but also for the political signal it sends on the long-term commitment of these countries to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The United States, Australia, India and Japan wrapped up Malabar 2025 near Guam with coordinated naval drills that highlighted how the four countries can operate together in a high-end maritime environment (Picture Source: U.S. 7th Fleet)
Malabar 2025 brought together a compact but capable multinational force in and around Guam. At sea, the Royal Australian Navy deployed the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155), the Indian Navy participated with the Shivalik-class stealth frigate INS Sahyadri (F 49), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sent the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181), and the U.S. Navy contributed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). These surface units operated with a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, a U.S. submarine assigned to Commander, Task Force 74, an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit from Commander, Task Force 75, as well as allied maritime patrol aircraft including Royal Australian Air Force P-8A and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1. Together, they conducted complex serials in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information-sharing, advanced manoeuvres and maritime operations designed to refine joint planning and execution.
Each main surface combatant also served as a showcase of its navy’s capabilities and defence products. HMAS Ballarat, a multi-role frigate, is configured for air defence, anti-submarine and surface warfare, with a vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles, a medium-calibre gun, torpedoes and an embarked helicopter. INS Sahyadri, an Indian-designed Shivalik-class frigate, incorporates stealth features and can be armed with a mix of surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes and long-range anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles such as BrahMos, giving India a credible option for precision strike from the sea. JS Hyuga operates as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter carrier, combining a full-length flight deck with a vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets, acting as an aviation and command hub for the task group. USS Fitzgerald, equipped with the Aegis combat system and a large number of vertical launch cells, can employ Standard surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk land-attack missiles and anti-submarine weapons, and has demonstrated compatibility with the Naval Strike Missile, underlining the U.S. Navy’s focus on long-range precision engagement.
The core operational value of Malabar 2025 lies in demonstrating how four distinct navies can function as a unified force under demanding conditions. Through joint planning and the execution of complex serials, crews refine shared procedures for communication, tactical data exchange, air and sea-space management, target designation, and rules of engagement. This process is strengthened by expert-level exchanges and direct personal connections, emphasized by exercise leaders, which turn theoretical interoperability into practiced routines at sea. For any potential adversary watching from afar, the signal is unmistakable: in a crisis, Australian, Indian, Japanese, and U.S. naval units could swiftly assemble into combined task groups, maintain a common operational picture, synchronize their weapons systems, and provide mutual support across a broad spectrum of missions.
The strategic implications of Malabar 2025 are significant at geopolitical, geostrategic and military levels. Geopolitically, the exercise confirms that the Quad format has become a durable platform for security cooperation, with leadership and location rotating among the four countries and signalling a shared responsibility for the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Geostrategically, holding the exercise around Guam connects training directly to the defence of the second island chain and the protection of key U.S. bases, logistics nodes and undersea cables linking North America and Asia. Militarily, the combination of modern surface combatants, maritime patrol aircraft, submarines and specialised units such as explosive ordnance disposal teams demonstrates an ability to conduct layered anti-submarine and anti-surface defence, to secure maritime approaches and to protect critical infrastructure in a contested environment.
Malabar 2025 stands out as more than a routine naval exercise. It highlights the growing commitment of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States to enhance coordination across their naval forces in the Indo-Pacific. By bringing together advanced platforms, operating in complex warfare domains, and refining multinational command structures around Guam, the four nations send a clear message: any attempt to disrupt critical sea lanes or endanger allied security will be met with a unified, highly capable maritime response.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.