The 33rd edition of the Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) officially commenced today at Visakhapatnam, marking another milestone in the enduring maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The exercise is scheduled to run from October 21 to October 26, 2026.
The bilateral drills officially began following the arrival of the RSN Ship RSS Supreme at Visakhapatnam port earlier in the day.
An opening ceremony was jointly hosted onboard Indian Navy warships INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta. The event was attended by the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of India’s Eastern Naval Command, the Fleet Commander of the Republic of Singapore Navy, alongside other senior naval officials from both nations.
A Two-Phase High-Intensity Exercise
SIMBEX-2026 will be executed in two distinct operational phases:
Harbour Phase (October 21–23): Hosted in Visakhapatnam, this phase focuses on professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, collaborative planning conferences, and joint sporting events to foster camaraderie.
Sea Phase (October 24–26): Moving out into the Bay of Bengal, naval assets will conduct complex tactical maneuvers and maritime operations. The sea drills will encompass Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), anti-surface and anti-air warfare scenarios, as well as advanced seamanship evolutions.
Decades of Strategic Partnership
First launched in 1994 under the moniker Exercise Lion King, SIMBEX has grown significantly in both scale and operational complexity over the past three decades. What began as basic naval drills has evolved into one of the longest-uninterrupted bilateral maritime engagements for both countries.
Officials emphasized that SIMBEX-2026 reaffirms the shared commitment of India and Singapore to strengthening operational interoperability, tackling regional maritime security challenges, and ensuring long-term peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
