The Singapore Navy Ship RSS Tenacious, carrying an embarked helicopter, arrived in Visakhapatnam to participate in the 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX). The exercise, a key aspect of the India-Singapore strategic partnership, will be held in the Eastern Naval Command from October 23 to October 29, 2024.
SIMBEX 2024: Strengthening Naval Ties
The 31st edition of SIMBEX is a significant event aimed at enhancing the strategic relationship between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). It fosters greater interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and collaboration on shared maritime challenges. According to the Ministry of Defence, this year’s exercise will deepen cooperation between the two nations’ navies.
Two Phases: Harbour and Sea Exercises
The bilateral exercise will be conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase, taking place from October 23 to October 25 at Visakhapatnam, includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, sports activities, and pre-sail briefings. Following this, the Sea Phase, scheduled from October 28 to 29 in the Bay of Bengal, will involve advanced naval drills.
Advanced Naval Drills in the Bay of Bengal
The Sea Phase will see a range of high-level naval operations, including live weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, anti-surface and anti-air operations, seamanship evolutions, and tactical manoeuvres. These drills aim to bolster combat readiness and coordination between the two navies.
A Strong and Growing Partnership
SIMBEX, which began in 1994 as ‘Exercise Lion King’, has evolved into a cornerstone of India-Singapore naval relations. This year’s edition comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Singapore, where India and Singapore upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, PM Modi and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong exchanged four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in areas like digital technology and skill development, further cementing the countries’ growing ties.
