The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) concluded the 33rd edition of the Singapore‑India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) after a shore phase and a sea phase held in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam from 21 to 26 October 2026, the RSN and the Indian Navy said.
Scope and participants
According to the RSN, the maritime exercise included professional exchanges ashore followed by complex at‑sea drills. The RSN deployed the Formidable‑class frigate RSS Supreme. The Indian Navy took part with three platforms named in official statements: the Nilgiri‑class frigate INS Nilgiri, the Kamorta‑class corvette INS Kamorta and the Sindhughosh‑class submarine INS Sindhukirti.
During the shore phase, planners and subject‑matter experts from both navies exchanged operational experience and best practices. The RSN said the exchanges covered unmanned systems operations, submarine rescue and maritime air operations, and included sports and other professional interactions.
At‑sea activities
The sea phase, conducted in the Bay of Bengal, comprised a sequence of advanced warfare serials. Both navies conducted:
- gunnery firing
- air defence exercises
- anti‑submarine warfare drills
The RSN statement said the sea phase concluded with a sail‑past of participating ships. The Indian Navy described the exercise as aimed at sharpening warfighting capabilities and enhancing interoperability between the two navies.
“SIMBEX is a strong testament to the enduring and evolving defence relationship shared by the RSN and the IN. Each edition of SIMBEX provides a vital platform for our navies to further hone operational competencies… I also encourage participants to build new relationships that will further strengthen these bonds going forward into the future,” said RSN Fleet Commander Colonel Bertram Ang.
Longstanding engagement
First held in 1994, SIMBEX marked its 33rd edition in 2026, making it one of the RSN’s longest‑running bilateral maritime exercises, the RSN noted. Over the years the exercise has widened in complexity, the RSN said, to encompass maritime security operations and multidimensional warfare serials. The two navies also maintain regular engagements through professional exchanges, port calls and training courses, the RSN added.
Both navies framed SIMBEX 2026 as continuing a pattern of close operational interaction in the Indian Ocean region, with the shore and at‑sea activities underlining shared procedures in unmanned systems, submarine safety and maritime air operations.
| Participant | Class / type |
|---|---|
| RSS Supreme | Formidable‑class frigate (Republic of Singapore Navy) |
| INS Nilgiri | Nilgiri‑class frigate (Indian Navy) |
| INS Kamorta | Kamorta‑class corvette (Indian Navy) |
| INS Sindhukirti | Sindhughosh‑class submarine (Indian Navy) |
The statements from both navies did not provide further operational details such as weapons firings' timings or munitions expended. Each service confined its account to the themes and named platforms involved.
