PHOTOS: 1st phase of Malabar exercise in Bay of Bengal

The first phase of the Malabar naval exercise culminated recently in the Bay of Bengal with the participation by Indian Navy, the United States Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Royal Australian Navy.

The exercise witnessed complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare drills, cross deck flying, and weapon firing exercises.

The mega exercise took place at a time India and China are locked in a nearly six-month-long bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

While the first segment of the exercise held from November 3 to 6 in the Bay of Bengal, the second phase of the drill is scheduled to be held from November 17 to 20 in the Arabian sea.

Here are some glimpses of the first round of naval exercises.