India and Singapore navies open SIMBEX-2026 at Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) began the 33rd edition of their bilateral maritime exercise, SIMBEX-2026, at Visakhapatnam on 21 October. The six-day exercise runs until 26 October, with a harbour phase in the port city followed by a sea phase in the Bay of Bengal.

Opening at Visakhapatnam

The opening ceremony took place on board the Indian Navy ships INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta on 21 October. Rear Admiral Manoj Jha, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Eastern Naval Command, attended along with senior officers of both navies and the RSN’s Fleet Commander. The Singapore frigate RSS Supreme arrived at Visakhapatnam on 21 October to take part.

Captain Gurudeep Bala, Commanding Officer of INS Nilgiri, said the exercise “aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance operational interoperability.” The Eastern Naval Command, which hosts the exercise, is headquartered in Visakhapatnam.

What the schedule covers

• Harbour phase, 21-23 October, Visakhapatnam: professional interactions, subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits, sporting events and planning conferences.
• Sea phase, 24-26 October, Bay of Bengal: anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres.

The harbour phase is mostly about working together on shore and on deck. Crews visit each other’s ships, trade professional know-how and agree on how the sea phase will be run. Once the ships sail on 24 October, the two navies will practise detecting and responding to submarines, surface vessels and aircraft, and moving as one formation.

Three decades of the exercise

SIMBEX began in 1994 under the name Exercise Lion King. Over the years it has grown in scope and complexity, and it is now among the regular fixtures on the Indian Navy’s calendar of foreign engagements.

The Indian Navy has described SIMBEX-2026 as a key maritime engagement between the two navies. The stated aims are to improve interoperability, exchange professional experience, understand each other’s operating methods and respond together to common maritime security challenges. Both sides also link such exercises to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region that carries a large share of the world’s trade and shipping.

What to watch

After the harbour phase ends on 23 October, the ships are due to leave Visakhapatnam for the Bay of Bengal on 24 October. The exercise concludes on 26 October.