SINGAPORE AND INDIAN NAVIES CONDUCT BILATERAL EXERCISE
1. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Indian Navy (IN) are currently conducting the annual Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX), in the South China Sea from 23 to 28 Mar 07. RSN Fleet Commander Rear Admiral (RADM) Tan Kai Hoe officiated at the opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base on 23 Mar 07 in the presence of IN Flag Officer Commander-In-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral (VADM) A K Singh.
2. The RSN is deploying two missile corvettes (RSS Valour and RSS Vigour), a missile gunboat (RSS Sea Dragon), an anti-submarine patrol vessel (RSS Gallant) and a submarine (RSS Chieftain) for the exercise. The IN is participating in SIMBEX 07 with two destroyers (INS Rana and INS Ranjit) and a corvette (INS Kuthar). Both navies are also deploying maritime patrol aircraft for the exercise.
3. The RSN and IN have been conducting bilateral exercises annually since 1999. These exercises provide a platform for the two navies to conduct professional interactions and to share valuable operational experiences. SIMBEX has grown in scope and complexity over the years, from anti-submarine warfare exercises to advanced exercises involving all three warfare dimensions, i.e. air, surface and sub-surface.
4. SIMBEX is part of the regular professional interaction which further enhances the longstanding ties between the RSN and IN. Besides SIMBEX, the two navies also interact through exchange programmes, staff talks and cross-attendance of courses.
# # #