Chennai, 28 Oct 2026: The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX- 2026), hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakha patnam, concluded on 26 Oct 2026. The exercise further streng thened the long standing maritime cooperation and operational engage ment 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 RAdm Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Command ing Eastern Fleet, and exchanged profes sional views on streng thening maritime cooperation between the two countries. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
SIMBEX-2026 was conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase featured Subject Matter Expert Exchan ges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, profes sional inter actions, sporting engagements and planning confe rences, facilitating the exchange of operational knowledge and enhancing mutual understanding. The Sea Phase 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, enhancing coordination and inter operability between the participating forces.
The exercise witnessed the partici pation of RSN ship RSS Supreme, a Formidable-class stealth frigate with an embarked SH-70B helicopter. The Indian Navy was represented by the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, ASW corvette INS Kamorta and participating aviation assets, including P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and MH-60R heli copters. SIMBEX has served as an important platform for strengthen ing bilateral maritime cooperation, operational interoperability and professional engagement between India and Singapore.
The exercise also demonstrated the commitment of both nations to enhancing maritime security and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).