By Focus | 2025-12-24

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is hosting US Navy sailors and US Marines in Lumut for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia, part of a long-running effort to strengthen interoperability and regional security.

The 2025 iteration is the 31st in CARAT's history. The 2024 exercise took place in Brunei.

CARAT remains one of the region's cornerstone training engagements, designed to promote regional security cooperation, strengthen partnerships and enhance maritime interoperability. The US Navy made the statement in a December 4 news release announcing the start of the weeklong exercises.

"It is such a privilege for us to be here again, celebrating 31 years of the CARAT exercise series with our Malaysian partners," Capt. Matt Cox, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7 (DESRON 7) and the US Navy head of delegation, said in a statement.

DESRON 7 is the US Navy's forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia.

"This exercise, which highlights the longstanding role that partnerships play in our ability to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific, acts as a venue for us to jointly address shared maritime security challenges," Cox said.

CARAT brings together Malaysian and US forces for training on shore and at sea, as well as sports and community relations events (COMRELs) that build ties between service members and civilians.

Participating forces are engaging in subject matter expert exchanges on topics including cyber, legal and medical matters; maritime domain awareness; diving and salvage; explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and music.

During a staff training exercise on December 6, Malaysian service members and US Marines from the Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia worked together on a rapid response planning process aimed at improving how they address maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

RMN and US Navy EOD technicians on December 8 participated in onshore training in Lumut by prepping a demolition range and engaging in other enhanced interoperability maritime security training.

CARAT Malaysia concluded with a series of at-sea events in the Strait of Malacca, where the USS Cincinnati operated alongside RMN frigate KD Lekiu.

"This exercise boosts our ability to tackle both traditional and non-traditional maritime challenges," DESRON 7 said on Facebook December 8.

Building community, strengthening friendship

Sailors from the RMN and USS Cincinnati participated in a COMREL at the Nur Hidayah Orphanage Home in Bukit Gantang on December 6.

The navies worked together on light refurbishment, painting, upkeep and cleaning, as well as interactive sessions with the children, according to the RMN's Markas Pemerintahan Armada Barat (Western Fleet Command Headquarters).

They cooked and ate a meal together, took the children to purchase new clothes and shoes and spent time dancing and playing together, a recap video of the day shows.

"The program created opportunities for meaningful connection and cultural exchange, strengthening friendship beyond the training environment," the video caption said.

"Beyond maritime exercises, CARAT is about building lasting relationships and supporting local communities," DESRON 7 said on social media.

The same day, US sailors and Marines joined RMN sailors for a friendly sports day. They played soccer and participated in a traditional blowgun (sumpit) competition.

Sailors from the US Navy 7th Fleet Band joined RMN sailors for a concert at the Lumut Waterfront on December 7. RMN sailors sang and danced, while the brass band played, photographs from the event showed.

CARAT Malaysia follows Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training 2025, in which the RMN and US Navy operated with ASEAN members and other partners to improve interoperability and strengthen regional cooperation and stability.