Why in the News?

The 31^st Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is taking place from 23 to 29 October 2024, involving both the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal. This exercise underscores the strong defense cooperation between India and Singapore in the maritime domain.

Key Points of SIMBEX 2024

• Participants: INS Shivalik (India), RSS Tenacious (Singapore), with an embarked helicopter.
• Location: Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, and Bay of Bengal.
• Phases:
  • Harbour Phase: 23^rd –25^th October at Visakhapatnam, featuring Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), sports fixtures, and cross-deck visits.
  • Sea Phase: 28^th –29^th October in the Bay of Bengal, with advanced naval exercises including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface and anti-air operations, and live weapon firings.
• It enhances maritime domain awareness and operational interoperability between the two navies, promoting a secure maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific.

INS Shivalik and RSS Tenacious in Visakhapatnam