Simbex-2022: Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise starts

October 28, 2022October 28, 2022 MTIMES

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy is hosting the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2022) from 26 to 30 October, 2022 at Visakhapatnam, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

SIMBEX-2022 is being conducted in two phases. Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam from 26 to 27 October 2022. Then the Sea Phase in Bay of Bengal from 28 to 30 October 2022. Two ships from Republic of Singapore Navy, RSS Stalwart (a Formidable Class Frigate) and RSS Vigilance (a Victory Class Corvette) arrived Visakhapatnam on 25 October 2022 for participation in the exercise.

Rear Admiral Sean Wat Jianwen, Fleet Commander, Republic of Singapore Navy called on Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet on 25 October 2022. During the meetings, issues of common concern were discussed.

The Harbour Phase witnessed extensive professional and sporting interactions between the two navies including cross deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and planning meetings.

SIMBEX series of exercises began in 1994 and were initially known as Exercise Lion King. The scope and complexity of the exercise has risen substantially over the past two decades to include advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations. The exercise exemplifies the high level of cooperation between India and Singapore in the maritime domain. It also highlights the commitment and contribution of the two nations towards enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Notably, The 28th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise -SIMBEX was conducted from September 2 to 4, 2021. The SIMBEX-2021 annual bilateral maritime exercise was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the southern fringes of the South China Sea.

The Indian High Commission in Singapore in 2019 stated that “SIMBEX is the longest uninterrupted naval exercise that India has with any other country, in a statement.