New Delhi. The 2010 edition of the ‘SIMBEX’ series of annual bilateral exercises between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), is scheduled to take place in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal between 03 and 16 Apr 2010.

SIMBEX is an acronym for ‘Singapore Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise’. The bilateral naval cooperation was formalized a decade and a half ago, when RSN ships began training in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with the Indian Navy, in 1994. Over the years the exercises have reflected a growth in strength, capability and mutual confidence of the two navies. As such, the exercises have graduated from purely training oriented ASW exercises to complex exercises, involving multiple facets of operations at sea. Successive editions of SIMBEX have progressively incorporated a wider range of sea going serials, ranging from platform specific exercises in Damage control and Fire fighting, through ‘Visit, Board, Search and Seizure’ procedures, all the way to complex three dimensional threat scenarios involving air surface and sub-surface threats. The operational relationship between the two navies has matured to a point where Standard Operating Procedures are well in place on both the sides..

This year’s exercise will be the 17th in the SIMBEX series. The exercise will be undertaken in two separate theatres. Initially in the Andaman Sea and then in the Bay of Bengal. The units participating from the Indian Navy include INS Batti Malv (Fast Attack Craft) and INS Mahish (Landing Ship Tank) from the Andaman & Nicobar Command, IN Ships Ranvir (Destroyer), Jyoti (Tanker) and a submarine from the Eastern Fleet. This will be in addition to fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. The Republic of Singapore Navy is participating with RSS Intrepid (Formidable Class frigate) and RSS Victory (Victory class missile corvette). The RSN ships would also be making port calls at Port Blair and Visakhapatnam during the exercise..

RSN and IN share a long standing relationship with regular professional interactions, which include exchange programmes, staff talks and cross attendance at courses. SIMBEX is an important out flow of this comprehensive process of bilateral engagement within the maritime domain. It is through these connectivities that the two navies continue to reinforce, the strong maritime bridges of friendship and connect our respective nations.