33rd edition of SIMBEX-2026 commences in Visakhapatnam

33rd edition of SIMBEX-2026 commences in Visakhapatnam left Officials at the launch of SIMBEX-2026, at ENC in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. BY ARRANGEMENT SIMBEX 2026, a bilateral naval exercise between India and Singapore commences at ENC in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. BY ARRANGEMENT The Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise will be conducted in two phases till October 26 Visakhapatnam The 33rd edition of the Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) commenced in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), and was scheduled to be held till October 26.

Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Ship, RSS Supreme, arrived in Visakhapatnam to participate in the exercise. The opening ceremony of SIMBEX-2026 was conducted onboard INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta. The ceremony was attended by Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Eastern Naval Command, Fleet Commander of the RSN, and other senior officers from the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Commencing in 1994 as Exercise Lion King, SIMBEX has evolved into a significant bilateral maritime engagement between the Indian Navy and the RSN. Over the years, the exercise has expanded in scope and complexity, strengthening professional ties, mutual understanding and operational interoperability between the two Navies. Navies of India, Singapore start SIMBEX bilateral exercise in southern South China Sea Navies of India, Singapore start SIMBEX bilateral exercise in southern South China Sea Indian Navy's Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay, Kamorta-class corvette INS Kavaratti, and a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft are taking part in the three-decade-old annual exercise which began on Thursday Navies of India, Singapore start SIMBEX bilateral exercise in southern South China Sea storyline 1 The exercise will be conducted in two phases.

The Harbour Phase, from October 21 to 23, will include professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, sporting engagements and planning conferences. The Sea Phase, from October 24 to 26, in the Bay of Bengal will feature maritime operations and tactical exercises, including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres.

SIMBEX-2026 reaffirms the longstanding maritime partnership between India and Singapore and their shared commitment to enhancing interoperability, addressing common maritime security challenges, and promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.