India’s INS Sahyadri joins Malabar 2026 in Japan as naval ties deepen

In early November, the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Sahyadri sailed to Japan to participate in the Malabar‑2026 multinational exercise. The warship, part of the Eastern Fleet, arrived at the Yokosuka naval base on 4 November.

The Malabar exercise brought together naval forces from India, Japan, the United States and Australia, focusing on enhancing sea‑control capabilities, joint operational planning and shared strategic doctrines. Throughout the drill, the participating navies conducted coordinated maneuvers, anti‑submarine warfare drills and live‑fire missile simulations.

Japanese Maritime Self‑Defense Force officials, including Vice‑Admiral Yagi Koji, welcomed the Indian contingent, underscoring the growing confidence in Indo‑Pacific security cooperation.

The deployment of INS Sahyadri follows the Indian Navy’s ongoing schedule of bilateral and multilateral engagements, such as the recent arrival of INS Surat in Oman for the “Nasim al Bahar” exercise. Together, these activities illustrate India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships across the region.