Quad Conducts 2nd Joint Military Exercise in Bay of Bengal, Strengthening Military Deterrence Against China

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The four member countries of the military alliance 'Quad,' which aims to counter China, including the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, are reported to have launched a large-scale joint military exercise in the northern Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. This comes just over two months after a joint military exercise near Guam in August, interpreted as a strategic move to strengthen deterrence against China.

According to local Indian media such as The Hindustan Times on the 12th (local time), the four Quad countries began the second joint exercise of 'Malabar 2021' from that day until the 15th in the Bay of Bengal area of India. The first Malabar 2021 exercise was held near Guam in August. This exercise was initially conducted in 1992 as a joint exercise between the Indian and U.S. navies, and since last year, all Quad member countries have participated.

According to The Hindustan Times, the Indian Navy stated that this exercise will focus on the use of advanced offensive weapons, anti-submarine warfare, and navigation improvements. Various forces such as the destroyer INS Ranvijay, the multipurpose stealth vessel INS Satpura, and the maritime patrol aircraft P-81 will be deployed. The U.S. Navy will mobilize the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson along with two destroyers, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to dispatch the destroyer JS Murasame and others.

This exercise is interpreted as having a strategic focus on countering China's military power in the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, China has continued provocations by dispatching a large number of military aircraft to Taiwan during the National Day holiday, intensifying shows of force, and this exercise is seen as a warning response to that.

Separately, not only the four Quad countries but also European nations are strengthening security cooperation with the Quad members. In April, the four Quad countries conducted the 'La P?rouse Exercise' together with the French Navy in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian military is also scheduled to conduct a joint exercise involving the army, navy, and air force with the United Kingdom for a week starting from the 21st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.