SIMBEX-2026 Wraps Up in Bay of Bengal
The India-Singapore naval exercise concluded in the Bay of Bengal after joint maritime warfare drills aimed at strengthening cooperation and operational interoperability.
The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026), hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam, concluded on October 26, further strengthening maritime cooperation and operational engagement between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
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.
SIMBEX-2026 was conducted in two phases. The harbour phase featured subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits, professional interactions, sporting activities and planning conferences.
The sea phase, held in the Bay of Bengal, involved maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and cross-deck flying operations. These activities enhanced coordination and interoperability between the participating forces.
The Republic of Singapore Navy participated with RSS Supreme, a Formidable-class stealth frigate carrying an embarked SH-70B helicopter. The Indian Navy deployed the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kamorta and aviation assets, including P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk advanced jet trainers and MH-60R helicopters.
SIMBEX remains an important platform for strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation, operational interoperability and professional engagement between India and Singapore. The exercise reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing maritime security and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean Region.