The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) began today in the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam. The prestigious event, from 23rd to 29th October 2024, emphasizes the growing maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The Republic of Singapore Navy’s RSS Tenacious, accompanied by an embarked helicopter, arrived at Visakhapatnam on 23rd October to participate in the exercise, which is being held in two phases. The Harbour Phase will be from the 23rd to the 25th of October, followed by the Sea Phase from the 28th to the 29th of October in the Bay of Bengal.
SIMBEX, which originally began as ‘Exercise Lion King’ in 1994, has grown into a cornerstone of maritime collaboration between India and Singapore. This year's iteration aims to bolster the strategic partnership between the two nations through enhanced interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and joint efforts to tackle common maritime security challenges.
The Harbour Phase will feature Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, sports events, and pre-sail briefings, facilitating greater interaction between naval personnel. The Sea Phase will showcase advanced naval drills, including live weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises, anti-surface and anti-air operations, seamanship exercises, and tactical maneuvers.
The opening ceremony of SIMBEX 2024 was held today aboard INS Shivalik, with key representatives from the Eastern Fleet and the Singapore Navy in attendance, marking the start of the much-anticipated exercise. (PR)