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How Indian Navy is using wargames to advance MAHASAGAR vision, strengthen naval diplomacy

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The stealth frigate INS Sahyadri recently docked in Yokosuka, Japan, to join Australia, Japan, and the United States for the multilateral Malabar 2026 exercise. This engagement follows the ship's bilateral maneuvers with South Korea and previous drills alongside the Russian Navy in Vladivostok. Meanwhile, other Indian vessels such as INS Trishul and INS Tarkash have carried out joint exercises across Europe and the Atlantic to sustain maritime diplomacy.

Key points

  • The Indian Navy is sustaining a three-month operational deployment across three oceans to…: The Indian Navy is sustaining a three-month operational deployment across three oceans to project presence and strengthen partnerships.
  • The Malabar exercise will test how the navy's multi-ocean operational tempo translates in…: The Malabar exercise will test how the navy's multi-ocean operational tempo translates into tactical coordination with QUAD-aligned forces.
  • India is actively balancing its maritime diplomacy by exercising with Western navies, reg…: India is actively balancing its maritime diplomacy by exercising with Western navies, regional Indo-Pacific states, and Russia within the same operational cycle.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The

Indian Navy has spent the past three months operating across three oceans and its stealth frigate INS Sahyadri is now at the centre of that effort. The ship arrived at Yokosuka in Japan on Wednesday to take part in the multilateral maritime exercise Malabar 2026, the Indian Embassy in Japan said. Vice Admiral Yagi Koji, Commandant Yokosuka District, and the Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Madhu Sundan, attended the ceremonial reception.

Sahyadri reached Japan after finishing the India-Republic of Korea Navy (IN-RoKN) bilateral exercise at Busan, where it had arrived on October 26. The harbour phase included professional discussions, cross-deck visits, operational briefings and subject matter expert exchanges, along with cultural and sporting events. At sea, the frigate and the South Korean destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great carried out coordinated navigation, helicopter operations and joint manoeuvres. The Ministry of Defence said the engagement strengthened maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.

A seasoned participant

The frigate is now taking part in Exercise Malabar for the second time in a row, Sahyadri took part in the sea phase of…

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