Indian Navy Joins 32nd SIMBEX in Singapore: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Maritime Ties

In 2025 the Indian Navy will be part of the 32nd Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise or SIMBEX in Singapore. Since 1994, SIMBEX as the longest active bilateral naval exercise in India improves the maritime security within the region and interoperability. Four Indian navy vessels- INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan and INS Shakti are participating. The exercise is in support of Indian Act East Policy and Vision SAGAR which are in line with secure and inclusive maritime order. It also augments India defence relations with ASEAN and Singapore.

Key Points for RAS Mains

• SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) has been underway since 1994.
• It was originally called Exercise Lion King but called SIMBEX later.
• It is the 32 rd consecutive edition (in 2025), which is a manifestation of profound strategic trust.
• In 2025, the event will be held in Singapore and includes intricate naval exercises and multinational training.

Indian Naval Ships Participating in 2025:

What is SIMBEX?

Related Policy Frameworks

Strategic importance of SIMBEX

• In India:
  • Fosters sea interoperability with allied marines.
  • Stands in favor of the Vision SAGAR: Security and Growth for All in the Region.
  • Fits into being consistent with the Act East Policy and boosts naval diplomacy.
  • Improves blue water ship capacity and the combat experience.
• In Region:
  • Strengthens Freedom of Navigation and in particular in Southeast Asia.
  • Allows dealing with non-standard threats: piracy, trafficking, maritime terrorism.
  • Sustains Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster relief (HADR) and SAR mission.
  • Helps bring about maritime stability in Indo-Pacific and rule-based order.

 India-Singapore Naval Relations:

• The collaboration of the navies since the 1990s under regular SIMBEX naval exercises.
• The fall-in of Changi Naval Base to the Indian Navy to increase its reach in the South China Sea.
• Regular military talks, port visits and logistics discussion.
• In the ASEAN-India model, Singapore plays the important role of a defence partner in India.

Recent Developments:

• The first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) was co-hosted by India and Singapore in 2023.
• The HADR and SAR operations of the Indian Navy have made a name in the global stages.
• Enhanced indoctrination and training in maritime cooperation of Indo-Pacific partners.
• Strategies of India The Quad interaction of India also overlaps with its maritime outreach.\

Conclusion:

The SIMBEX 32 informs that India is an emerging responsible maritime power and the country has been engaged in regional cooperation since its distant past. The involvement of the contemporary indigenous vessels is a way to envisage the rise in naval strength and India as a technology that is self-reliant. The SIMBEX does not only enhance operational readiness and confidence within the Indo-Pacifi but is also contributing to building a secure, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. It is another step towards Indian maritime diplomacy and strategic reach to ASEAN and the Eastern world.