Anti-submarine warfare to naval aviation: India-Singapore exercise SIMBEX-2026 concludes

The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy RSN have concluded the 33rd edition of the SingaporendashIndia Maritime Bilateral Exercise SIMBEX2026 in Visakhapatnam with the exercise focusing on strengthening operational coordination and maritime cooperation between the two countriesHosted by the Indian Navy the exercise concluded on Monday following harbourbased engagements and operational drills in the Bay of BengalIndia Singapore navies conduct maritime warfare drillsSIMBEX2026 was conducted in two phases The Harbour Phase featured professional interactions Subject Matter Expert Exchanges SMEEs crossdeck visits sporting activities and planning conferences providing personnel from both navies with opportunities to exchange operational knowledge and strengthen mutual understandingThe Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal involved Maritime Interdiction Operations AntiSubmarine Warfare ASW AntiAir Warfare and AntiSurface Warfare drills The participating forces also undertook seamanship evolutions and crossdeck flying operations to enhance coordination and interoperabilityWarships aircraft participate in exerciseThe Republic of Singapore Navy participated with RSS Supreme a Formidableclass stealth frigate carrying an embarked SH70B helicopterThe Indian Navy deployed the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri and the antisubmarine warfare corvette INS Kamorta Aviation assets participating in the exercise included P8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and MH60R helicoptersThe participation of warships and aviation assets enabled both navies to undertake a range of maritime operations and practise coordinated responses to operational scenariosIndian Singaporean naval commanders discuss cooperationAs part of the bilateral engagement Colonel Bertram Ang Fleet Commander of the RSN called on Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi Flag Officer Commanding Eastern FleetThe two officers exchanged professional views on strengthening maritime cooperation and discussed matters of mutual interestSIMBEX has served as an important platform for advancing maritime cooperation and operational interoperability between India and Singapore The exercise also reflects both countries commitment to enhancing maritime security and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean Region IORIndian Navy ships reach Sri Lanka as part of ongoing training deploymentShips of the Indian Navyrsquos First Training Squadron 1TS arrived in Colombo on Tuesday as part of their ongoing training deployment and received a ceremonial welcome from the Sri Lanka NavyThe squadron comprises Indian Naval Ships INS Tir and INS Sujata along with Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Sarathi the Indian Navy saidldquoAnchoring Friendship Strengthening Maritime Cooperation Ships of the Indian Navyrsquos First Training Squadron 1TS INS Tir INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi arrived at Colombo to a ceremonial welcome from the Sri Lanka Navyrdquo the Indian Navy posted on XldquoAs part of the professional engagements during the port call the DG Naval Training and the Commander Eastern Naval Area Sri Lanka Navy interacted with sea trainees onboardrdquo it addedLast week ships of the Indian Navyrsquos First Training Squadron concluded their training and military engagement in the Maldives including a Passage Exercise PASSEX with the Maldives National Defence Force MNDF Coast Guard the High Commission of India in Male said on October 24ldquoThe 1 TS of the Indian Navy INS Tir INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi successfully concluded their highly productive training and military engagement including the PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard reinforcing the enduring maritime partnership between India and the Maldivesrdquo the High Commission posted on XEarlier the 1TS ships concluded their port call at Port Victoria in Seychelles where they conducted a PASSEX with Seychelles Coast Guard ship AndromacheINS Tir INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi departed Port Victoria on October 15 after completing the port call which began on October 12 as part of their ongoing training deploymentDuring the visit the Senior Officer of 1TS along with the commanding officers of the visiting ships called on Seychelles Defence Force SDF Chief of Defence Forces Major General Michael Rosette Discussions focused on the longstanding partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two forcesldquoThe Indian Navyrsquos First Training Squadron 1TS conducted a PASSEX with Seychelles Coast Guard ship Andromache during its deployment The exercise featured joint patrolling communication drills and coordinated manoeuvresrdquo the Indian Navy had posted on XldquoThe deployment underscores the strong bonds of friendship between India and Seychelles and reflects the Indian Navyrsquos commitment to capacity building and regional partnerships in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regionsrdquo the Ministry of Defence had saidWith IANS inputs