---
title: "Malabar Naval Exercise: Quad Drill | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Malabar Naval Exercise is an annual maritime drill involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia, enhancing security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/malabar-exercise"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Malabar Naval Exercise is an annual multilateral maritime exercise involving the navies of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia conducted in the Indo-Pacific.
- How does the Malabar Exercise relate to the Quad?
- Why did Australia leave and later rejoin Malabar?
- Is Malabar a military alliance?
- What capabilities does Malabar actually train?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In 2023, the Royal Australian Navy hosted Malabar off Sydney—the first time the India-US-Japan-Australia exercise was held in Australian waters, featuring P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and combined anti-submarine warfare drills.

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