The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026), hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, concluded on October 26, reinforcing maritime cooperation and operational interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The exercise featured a series of professional engagements and complex maritime drills aimed at enhancing coordination between the two navies and strengthening their ability to operate together across diverse maritime scenarios.
As part of the bilateral engagement, Colonel Bertram Ang, Fleet Commander of the RSN, called on Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. The two officers exchanged professional views on strengthening maritime cooperation and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Harbour and Sea Phases Enhance Operational Co-ordination:
SIMBEX-2026 was conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, professional interactions, sporting engagements and planning conferences, providing opportunities to exchange operational knowledge and deepen mutual understanding.
The subsequent Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal involved a range of operational drills, including Maritime Interdiction Operations, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare. Seamanship evolutions and cross-deck flying operations further strengthened coordination and interoperability between the participating forces.
Advanced Naval Platforms Take Part:
The Republic of Singapore Navy participated with RSS Supreme, a Formidable-class stealth frigate equipped with an embarked SH-70B helicopter.
The Indian Navy deployed the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri and ASW corvette INS Kamorta, alongside a range of aviation assets. These included P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and MH-60R helicopters.
The participation of these warships and aviation platforms enabled both navies to undertake coordinated training across multiple maritime warfare domains.
Strengthening Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific:
SIMBEX remains a key platform for advancing defence cooperation, professional exchanges and operational engagement between India and Singapore. The exercise underscores both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime security and contributing to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
The successful conclusion of SIMBEX-2026 marks another step in deepening the longstanding naval partnership between the two nations, with interoperability and coordinated maritime operations remaining central to their bilateral defence engagement.
