A fleet of US, Indian and Japanese warships have started an eight-day large-scale naval exercise in the Western Pacific. The Malabar drills are taking place off the east coast of Japan's Okinawa prefecture.

Among other warships, Japan has sent the Hyuga, one of the country's three new helicopter carriers, while the US has deployed its 7th Fleet. The Indian Navy has sent its four warships for the annual exercise. The drills will cover submarine hunting and anti-aircraft defense.

Last year, they were held in the Bay of Bengal near India.