Malaysia and the US have launched their 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, aiming to strengthen their partnership and operation coordination between the two naval forces.

The US side sent a submarine, a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and 1,800 sailors to the exercise, while Malaysia contributed two warships, a Hawk aircraft, helicopters and 100 sailors.

Malaysian Naval Region 1 Commander, First Admiral Mohamad Roslan Mohamad Ramli, said the exercise, which will run until June 23, focuses on 10 types of training covering military, tactical and maritime aspects, as well as community service.

The exercise areas include Kemaman in Terengganu State, Kuantan in Kuantan State, Pekan in Pahang State and the East Sea, he said.

Initiated in 1994, CARAT is an annual training programme between the Royal Malaysian Navy and US Navy that was agreed upon under the Malaysia and US Joint Training Programme Agreement.-VNA