India-Singapore navies concluded maritime exercise

The navies of India and Singapore on Wednesday concluded their bilateral naval drill in the strategic South China Sea, where China is flexing its military muscles.

The Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2019) was conducted by the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy from May 16 to May 22.

One Kolkata Class Destroyer (INS Kolkata), One Fleet Tanker (INS Shakti) and one Poseidon-8I (P8I) Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy participated in the exercise conducted mostly in waters off Singapore, the Indian High Commission here said.

The Singapore Navy, as hosts, deployed one Formidable Class Frigate (RSS Steadfast) and one Victory Class Corvette (RSS Valiant) participated.

The air component from Singapore included one Fokker 50 (F-50) and four F-16 Fighter Aircraft of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

After having enthused significant interest from IMDEX-19 (International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference) participants, as reflected in the quantum of high-profile visits, the Indian Navy ships continued at Singapore to prepare for the SIMBEX-19, alongside their Singaporean counterparts, the High Commission said.

The Harbour Phase, conducted from May 16 to 18, not only included a series of planning meetings but also simulated tactical exercises and interactions between professional subject matter experts in various domains of Maritime Operations.

A lot of stress was laid on safety aspects during the Harbour Phase, said the High Commission in a release on Wednesday.

The crew also took time out from their busy harbour engagements to take to the sports field.

Ships' crews from both sides also visited all participating ships to familiarise themselves thoroughly with operational peculiarities of participating assets.

These interactions helped the crews of both sides to perform their tasks at sea in better unison, more efficiently and with full regard to safety compliance, the release said.

A solemn opening ceremony was performed at Singapore on May 18 which was followed by a grand reception onboard INS Kolkata.

The scale of participation in both these events and the mood of the attendees truly reflected the close bonds shared by the people and navies of both nations, at personal and professional levels, the release said.

The Sea Phase that followed from May 19 to 22 built upon the harmony achieved in harbour, albeit in a far more realistic environment.

"It was indeed a matter of pride for both forces to have executed most demanding manoeuvres with great elan and a series of joint maritime exercises in perfect synchronisation," it said.

The evolutions at sea included all dimensions of Naval Warfare as well as live firing of ship's armament.

The unison achieved in joint operations was indeed a testimony to the 26 years of cumulative experience, it said.

The Indian Government and the Indian Navy remain committed to peace, prosperity and security of the Maritime Commons and endeavour to build lasting bilateral and multi-lateral partnerships in pursuance of this shared vision, said the release.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam pushing competing claims to parts of the resource-rich maritime region.

The islands in the South China Sea - is an area which accounts for 12 per cent of global fishing and through which 30 per cent of the world's trade passes, apart from housing possible oil and gas reserve.