India-Singapore Maritime Bitateral Exercises
(Simbex - 2008)
SIMBEX is an acronym that stands for 'Singapore India Maritime
Bilateral Exercises' and is an institutionalised and regular series of
annual exercises conducted between the Indian Navy and the navy of the
Republic of Singapore (RSN). The Indian Navy's operational interaction
with the RSN, which commenced with modesty – pitched anti-submarine
training exercises in 1994, has grown steadily and impressively over
the past 14 years. 'SIMBEX 2008', currently being conducted on India's
Eastern seaboard between the 16th and 30th of this month.
For SIMBEX-2008, Singapore fielded one 'Endurance class' landing
platform dock (RSS Persistence), one 'Formidable class' frigate (RSS
Formidable), two 'Victory Class' guided- missile corvettes (RSS
Vigilance and Valour), and one 'Fokker-50' maritime patrol aircraft.
Indian participation in the exercise included one guided missile
destroyer (INS Rajput), one guided-missile frigate (INS Gomati), two
guided-missile corvettes (Kirch & Kuthar), two missile vessels (Vinash
Vibhut), one fast attack craft (INS Trinkat), one submarine(INS VAGLI)
shore-based fighter aircraft(IN Kiran & IAF MIG-27s) medium-range
maritime patrol aircraft (Dornier) and shipborne helicopters.
Bilateral interaction was progressed at sea as well as in harbour.
Whilst the harbour phase focussed on sharing operational experiences
through professional interaction, the sea phase concentrated upon the
conduct of a plethora of exercises ranging from surface firings and
anti aircraft engagements to anti submarine warfare exercises and
serials involving the deployment and coordination of maritime patrol
aircraft as well as shore based fighters.
The Indian Navy lays great stress on enhancing and sustaining
bilateral ties, as also on improving mutual understanding with
regional navies, through exercises such as those of the SIMBEX series.
These exercises not only provide immense training value to our sea
going personnel but also help in fostering mutual trust and friendship
between our respective nations, adding strength to our commitment and
resolve to tackle common challenges with the maritime domain.
VG/AK
(Release ID :36965)