U.S. and Malaysia Forge Stronger Military Ties in CARAT Malaysia 2024 Collaboration

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps recently collaborated with the Royal Malaysian Navy, wrapping up the 2024 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in Lumut, Perak. Over the course of eight days, the joint efforts focused on enhancing military cooperation and addressing mutual maritime security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Celebrating its 30th year, CARAT exemplifies the longstanding defense collaboration between the U.S. and Malaysia. This year’s exercise emphasized a wide range of naval capabilities and highlighted four decades of partnership, dedicated to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan expressed pride in the robust security partnership between the two nations. “Our military cooperation has strengthened over 40 years, conducting 14 joint exercises annually, reinforcing commitments to peace and security,” he stated.

Participants engaged in various naval capability trainings, showcasing the ability of Malaysia and the United States to achieve a common objective of regional stability and security.

The exercise featured a combination of onshore and at-sea activities. Onshore, subject matter experts exchanged knowledge in dive and salvage operations, aviation, cybersecurity, and maritime law. At sea, exercises were carried out in the Strait of Malacca, with U.S. and Malaysian naval assets working together to boost interoperability and rapport.

This collaboration illustrated the bilateral forces’ competence in executing complex maneuvers and tactics, focusing on areas like surface warfare, mobile diving and salvage, and mission-critical operations such as visit, board, search, and seizure.

Royal Malaysian Navy First Admiral Dr. Tay Yap Leong praised the exercise’s role in training and regional cooperation. He emphasized, “The lessons learned here are vital for future challenges, affirming that our strength is in cohesive teamwork.”

Malaysia has been a consistent participant in the CARAT series since its 1995 inception. The 2024 activities build upon 30 years of U.S.-Malaysia naval engagements aimed at enhancing maritime security capabilities.

The U.S. contributed significant naval assets, including the USS Dewey, equipped with an MH-60R helicopter, and various P-8A patrol aircraft. The Royal Malaysian Navy deployed assets such as the KD Terengganu, the KD Rencong, and several aircraft, including F/A-18D Hornet fighters.

In Southeast Asia, DESRON 7, the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed squadron, plays a key role in commanding littoral ships and fostering partnerships through training and military engagements. The U.S. 7th Fleet remains the Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, emphasizing collaboration with allies to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.