One of the most important annual military exercises that enhances India’s defence relations with Singapore is called SIMBEX, or the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise.
Since its initiation in 1994, the exercise has expanded to cover a wider range of maritime security activities, beyond its initial focus on anti-submarine warfare.
With the two countries’ level of cooperation rising year by year, SIMBEX has emerged as the longest consecutive naval exercise by India with any other foreign nation.
What is SIMBEX?
The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy hold a bilateral naval exercise called SIMBEX annually. The exercise is aimed at increasing interoperability, confidence, and maritime cooperation between both navies. The exercise currently includes anti-air, anti-surface, and maritime security operations, among other things.
To prepare the forces for real-life situations, preceding every SIMBEX is a sequence of planning conferences along with combat training in a simulator. Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase make up the exercise.
Phases of the SIMBEX Exercise
• Harbour Phase: Planning conferences, cross-deck courtesy calls, and professional interactions are where naval officers spend their time during this phase. It gives both navies a chance to pick up tricks from each other and exchange know-how.
• Sea Phase: In this phase, tactical drills and advanced naval operations in real-time are conducted at sea. It tests both navies’ coordination and preparedness under various scenarios.
Current SIMBEX Editions
The 2023 SIMBEX
Singapore hosted the recent SIMBEX 2023. As the 30th edition, the exercise was historic. INS Ranvijay, a guided-missile destroyer, and Sindhukesari, a submarine, were among the Indian naval vessels that took part. Personnel witnessed the opening ceremony from both navies to commemorate the commencement of the exercise.
Various professional interactions, collaborative training drills, and the signing of the Joint Standard Operating Procedure for Submarine Rescue were conducted during the Harbour Phase. Advanced maritime security drills were also part of the Sea Phase, further consolidating Singapore’s close relationship with India.
The 2022 SIMBEX
The 29th SIMBEX took place in Visakhapatnam, India, from October 26 to October 30, 2022. Singapore warships RSS Vigilance and RSS Stalwart participated in the exercise.
Professional meetings and planning contacts were held during the Harbour Phase, and operational exercises took place in the Bay of Bengal during the Sea Phase.
The SIMBEX 2021
The South China Sea was the location of SIMBEX 2021 from September 2–4. Even if the exercise was “at-sea only” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two navies were still able to engage in contemporary naval war-fighting and live firing of weapons. The 75th anniversary of Indian independence rendered the edition particularly special.
SIMBEX’s Importance for India-Singapore Relations
One of the most important forces driving the evolution of the strategic relationship between India and Singapore is the SIMBEX exercise. It makes it possible for the two countries to cooperate on issues related to maritime security, especially in the Indian Ocean.
Such military cooperation through exercises like SIMBEX becomes increasingly important in the preservation of peace and stability as regional politics shift.
Both navies are better equipped to operate in various situations by working together through training, which is essential for effective naval operations. This is among the main advantages of SIMBEX: enhanced interoperability.
• Increased Mutual Trust: Both nations’ forces are familiarising themselves with and trusting each other more and more with continued communication and co-training.
• Regional Security: The drill assists in addressing issues like terrorism, piracy, and other maritime threats because the two nations share common security interests.
• Sophisticated Training: SIMBEX utilises new naval training methods that prepare both navies to counter contemporary combat.
The Way Forward
SIMBEX will be a keystone of Singapore-India defence cooperation in the years to come. Both countries have indicated an eagerness to broaden their maritime cooperation, and exercises in the future could include increasingly sophisticated scenarios.
The expanding defense ties also manifest in recent pacts, such as mutual use of each other’s naval bases and submarine rescue efforts. Drills such as SIMBEX will be critical in ensuring regional stability as both countries navigate the evolving Indo-Pacific security environment.
Summary
SIMBEX is a demonstration of the centuries-old friendship and strategic alliance between Singapore and India. With its historical context and ongoing development, SIMBEX not only develops defense capabilities but also reaffirms both countries’ commitment towards a peaceful maritime environment.
As SIMBEX evolves, it will continue to be a useful forum for collaboration whereby the Singaporean and Indian navies can work together to address issues. By engaging in exercises like SIMBEX, India and Singapore are solidifying themselves as key players in regional maritime security.
