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Over the years, SIMBEX has been an important part of India and Singapore’s defence relationship
The 31st edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX), a key pillar in India-Singapore defense relations, is currently underway at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Scheduled from October 23 to 29, 2024, the exercise will strengthen maritime cooperation between the two nations, enhance operational capabilities, and improve coordination in addressing shared maritime security challenges.
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) ship, RSS Tenacious, along with its embarked helicopter, arrived in Visakhapatnam on October 23 to participate in SIMBEX 2024. The exercise, which started as ‘Exercise Lion King’ in 1994, has since evolved into one of the most significant maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the RSN.
SIMBEX 2024 is structured in two phases—the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase is being held from October 23 to 25 at Visakhapatnam, where naval personnel from both countries will engage in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sail briefings. These activities are aimed at fostering personal connections and enhancing professional knowledge sharing between the two navies.
The Sea Phase, scheduled from October 28 to 29 in the Bay of Bengal, will focus on operational readiness through a series of advanced naval drills. These include live weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, anti-surface and anti-air operations, seamanship evolutions, and tactical maneuvers. By honing their combat and operational skills, the two navies will further enhance their interoperability and readiness to jointly address maritime security challenges.
The opening ceremony for SIMBEX 2024 was held on October 24 aboard the Indian Navy’s INS Shivalik. The ceremony was attended by representatives of both navies, showcasing the strong and enduring ties that continue to grow through joint exercises like SIMBEX.
Over the years, SIMBEX has been an important part of India and Singapore’s defence relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. This year's exercise aims to further deepen bilateral ties by enhancing maritime domain awareness, improving tactical coordination, and promoting operational synergy. The exercise is particularly focused on addressing the evolving maritime security landscape in the region, with a special emphasis on countering traditional and non-traditional maritime threats.
The drills and exchanges in SIMBEX 2024 are designed to enhance the operational capabilities of both navies. This will boost mutual confidence and demonstrate their readiness to address security challenges, including piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing, which are persistent threats in the region.
SIMBEX 2024 coincides with a visit by Singapore's Defence Minister, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, who was in India from October 21 to 23. His visit, which included meetings with Indian leaders and defence officials, highlighted the growing defense cooperation between the two nations.
Dr. Ng met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they discussed the historical and cultural ties between India and Singapore. They also emphasized the importance of elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on defence research, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The Defence Minister also co-chaired the 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministerial Dialogue alongside Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. During the dialogue, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense ties, extending the agreement on Joint Military Training (JMT) for another five years. This extension will ensure that the armed forces of both countries continue to benefit from shared training, operational interoperability, and mutual readiness.
As India and Singapore prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, their defense cooperation is poised to reach new heights. The two nations are committed to continuing their joint military exercises, enhancing cybersecurity collaboration, and fostering closer industrial partnerships. Singapore has played a pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy, which emphasizes strategic engagement with Southeast Asia, and the bilateral relationship continues to grow under this framework.
SIMBEX 2024 is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between India and Singapore, underscoring their shared vision for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. As the exercise progresses, it will further strengthen the operational capabilities of both navies, ensuring they remain well-prepared to address the evolving challenges in maritime security.
This year’s SIMBEX serves as a clear signal of the deepening defense ties between India and Singapore, marking another significant step in their comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) ship, RSS Tenacious, along with its embarked helicopter, arrived in Visakhapatnam on October 23 to participate in SIMBEX 2024. The exercise, which started as ‘Exercise Lion King’ in 1994, has since evolved into one of the most significant maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the RSN.
SIMBEX 2024 is structured in two phases—the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase is being held from October 23 to 25 at Visakhapatnam, where naval personnel from both countries will engage in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sail briefings. These activities are aimed at fostering personal connections and enhancing professional knowledge sharing between the two navies.
The Sea Phase, scheduled from October 28 to 29 in the Bay of Bengal, will focus on operational readiness through a series of advanced naval drills. These include live weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, anti-surface and anti-air operations, seamanship evolutions, and tactical maneuvers. By honing their combat and operational skills, the two navies will further enhance their interoperability and readiness to jointly address maritime security challenges.
The opening ceremony for SIMBEX 2024 was held on October 24 aboard the Indian Navy’s INS Shivalik. The ceremony was attended by representatives of both navies, showcasing the strong and enduring ties that continue to grow through joint exercises like SIMBEX.
Over the years, SIMBEX has been an important part of India and Singapore’s defence relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. This year's exercise aims to further deepen bilateral ties by enhancing maritime domain awareness, improving tactical coordination, and promoting operational synergy. The exercise is particularly focused on addressing the evolving maritime security landscape in the region, with a special emphasis on countering traditional and non-traditional maritime threats.
The drills and exchanges in SIMBEX 2024 are designed to enhance the operational capabilities of both navies. This will boost mutual confidence and demonstrate their readiness to address security challenges, including piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing, which are persistent threats in the region.
SIMBEX 2024 coincides with a visit by Singapore's Defence Minister, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, who was in India from October 21 to 23. His visit, which included meetings with Indian leaders and defence officials, highlighted the growing defense cooperation between the two nations.
Dr. Ng met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they discussed the historical and cultural ties between India and Singapore. They also emphasized the importance of elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on defence research, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The Defence Minister also co-chaired the 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministerial Dialogue alongside Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. During the dialogue, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense ties, extending the agreement on Joint Military Training (JMT) for another five years. This extension will ensure that the armed forces of both countries continue to benefit from shared training, operational interoperability, and mutual readiness.
As India and Singapore prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, their defense cooperation is poised to reach new heights. The two nations are committed to continuing their joint military exercises, enhancing cybersecurity collaboration, and fostering closer industrial partnerships. Singapore has played a pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy, which emphasizes strategic engagement with Southeast Asia, and the bilateral relationship continues to grow under this framework.
SIMBEX 2024 is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between India and Singapore, underscoring their shared vision for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. As the exercise progresses, it will further strengthen the operational capabilities of both navies, ensuring they remain well-prepared to address the evolving challenges in maritime security.
This year’s SIMBEX serves as a clear signal of the deepening defense ties between India and Singapore, marking another significant step in their comprehensive strategic partnership.
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