Exercise KAKADU, which started in 1993, is a biannual joint exercise taking place both ashore and at sea off the coast of Darwin in Australia

The Indian Navy left its mark in Australia as it participated in a multilateral maritime exercise involving 27 navies. Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri entered the Port of Darwin on Wednesday to take part in Exercise KAKADU which kicked off on Saturday.

Exercise KAKADU, which started in 1993, is a premier multilateral regional maritime engagement hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).


Indian Navy’s participation in KAKADU 2018 provides an excellent opportunity to engage with regional partners and undertake multinational maritime activities ranging from constabulary operations to high-end maritime warfare in a combined environment, aimed at enhancing interoperability and development of common understanding of procedures for maritime operations, the Navy said in a statement.

After having been deployed to the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean for over four months, which included representing Indian Navy in multinational exercises MALABAR 18 at Guam and RIMPAC 18 at Hawaii, INS Sahyadri entered the Port of Darwin, Australia on 29 Aug 18 to participate in Exercise KAKADU 2018 on 29 August 2018

The exercise is held biennially in Darwin and the Northern Australian Exercise Areas (NAXA). Exercise KAKADU derives its name from Kakadu National Park, which is a protected area in the northern territory of Australia, 171 km south-east of Darwin.


Royal Australian Navy Tweets: Crocs feature but India dominates the field in Darwin – bringing nations closer together at Kakadu 2018. Congratulations to all those who took part in a sports day with a difference!

“KAKADU 2018 is a biannual joint exercise taking place both ashore and at sea off the coast of Darwin. This year’s exercise involves 27 nations and more than 3000 personnel which represents the largest military commitment to the exercise since it began in 1993,” Royal Australian Navy said in a statement.


From India, INS Sahyadri is taking part in the exercise. The ship was deployed in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean for over four months, which included representing the Navy in multinational exercises MALABAR 18 at Guam and RIMPAC 18 at Hawaii.


KAKADU Sports Cup is a highly respected event of KAKADU multinational exercise, Indian Navy said. 

On Sunday, the teams participated in sports day where Indian team dominated all the others to lift the KAKADU18 Cup.

KAKADU 2018, the 14th edition of the exercise, is scheduled from 29 August – 15 September 2018 and would see participation from 23 warships, one submarine, 45 aircraft, 250 marines and approx 52 foreign staff from over 25 different countries.