SIMBEX-2026: India, Singapore Navies Begin Drills at Visakhapatnam

The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, SIMBEX-2026, began at Visakhapatnam on 21 October and runs until 26 October, according to a Press Information Bureau release. The Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Supreme arrived in the port on 21 October, and the opening ceremony was held on board the Indian Navy ships INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta. The Eastern Naval Command’s Chief Staff Officer (Operations) and the Singapore Navy’s Fleet Commander attended.

Sea Drills Start on 24 October

The harbour phase, from 21 to 23 October, covers professional exchanges between experts, cross-deck visits, sporting events and planning conferences. The two navies then move to the Bay of Bengal for the sea phase from 24 to 26 October. PIB said it will include anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres. The Navy said the aim is better interoperability and a joint response to shared maritime security challenges.

From Exercise Lion King to 33 Editions

SIMBEX began in 1994 as Exercise Lion King and has grown into one of the Indian Navy’s main bilateral exercises. The PIB release describes it as a reaffirmation of the maritime partnership between India and Singapore and of their shared interest in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The release does not give the number of personnel or aircraft taking part.

Sea Phase Ends on 26 October

The exercise concludes on 26 October after three days at sea. The Navy has not said whether it will release a summary of the drills. More coverage of defence and diplomacy is in our Daily Updates section, including the India-Poland talks on defence and space.

Source: PIB release on SIMBEX-2026. Also based on reporting by The Hans India.

Image: Indian Navy.