India, the US and Japan on Thursday began the 'Malabar 2019'trilateral maritime exercise in the Pacific Ocean. The exercise, in which the Indian Navy has deployed two ships, will end on October 4.

Defence sources said two front line indigenously developed ships -- INS Sahyadri, INS Kiltan --have been deployed for the exercise. Sahyadri is a multi-purpose guided missile frigate while the Kiltan is ananti-submarine warfare corvette.

The Indian Navy's Rear Admiral Suraj Berry, Flag OfficerCommanding Eastern Fleet, led the ships to Sasebo, Japan, where the exercisewill be conducted.

Apart from the ships, a P8I long-range maritime patrolaircraft was also sent to Japan for the exercise. Officials said the US Navy isbeing represented by USS McCampbell, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine and aP8A long range maritime patrol aircraft.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force has participated withthe Izumo class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga, guided-missile destroyers JSSamidare and Choukai and a P1 long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

According to officials, the objective of Malabar 2019, whichis being conducted for the 33rd time, is to further strengthen naval tiesbetween the three countries. The exercise also aims to enhance cooperation andinteroperability, based on shared values and principles, between the threeNavies.

Complex maritime operations in the surface, sub-surface andair domains including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air and anti-surfacefirings, maritime interdiction operations will be conducted during the seaphase of the exercise. Besides, official visits, professional interactions,sports fixtures and social events will also be conducted during the harbour phase.