Quad working group explores use of defence assets for logistics, HADR

The Quad maritime security working group met recently to explore cooperation in the maritime domain where defence assets and expertise of the four members could be utilised for maritime logistics, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), training and domain awareness, said people familiar with the matter.

The meeting, held in a virtual format, comprised officers from across ministries from the Quad member countries - India, Australia, Japan and the US.

The Quad members are working to ensure readiness to rapidly respond, including through pre-positioning of essential relief supplies, in the event of a natural disaster from the Indian Ocean region to Southeast Asia to the Pacific, according to a statement issued after the Quad Summit in the US in September.


Quad HADR experts are involved in a tabletop exercise to prepare for potential future disasters in the region.

The members of the grouping are working side by side with partners throughout the region to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to the statement.

Quad leaders launched the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness at the 2022 Quad Leaders' Summit in Tokyo. The initiative provides partners with near-real-time, cost-effective, cutting-edge radio frequency data, enabling them to better monitor their waters; counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; respond to climate change and natural disasters; and enforce their laws within their waters.