Indian, Singaporean navies hold war game in China’s backyard
March 24th, 2011 - 9:22 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Indian Navy is engaged in a week-long advanced war game with its Singaporean counterpart in the South China Sea, the backyard of giant neighbour China.
The ‘Simbex’ exercise, which began March 18, is the 18th in a series that began in 1994.
China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary dispute with several countries of the region, including Singapore.
Hosted by Singapore this year, the exercise is witnessing joint naval warfare training involving air, surface and sub-surface dimensions, aimed at enhancing the interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies, an Indian Navy press release said here Thursday.
“The exercise comprises a shore phase, already held at the Changi Naval Base, and a sea phase currently being carried out in the South China Sea,” the release added.
Singapore is participating in the exercise with three frigates, a missile corvette, a submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft, while its air force will deploy a fighter aircraft. India has sent three destroyers, a corvette, a fleet tanker and a maritime patrol aircraft.
“Simbex started in 1994 as a training-oriented anti-submarine warfare exercise and has since grown in scale and complexity over the years. The exercise underscores the long-standing defence ties between the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy,” the release said.
The two navies also interact regularly through a range of activities, including professional exchange programmes, staff talks and courses.
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Tags: advanced war, boundary dispute, changi naval base, defence ties, fighter aircraft, fleet tanker, indian navy, maritime boundary, maritime patrol aircraft, missile corvette, naval warfare, navies, professional exchange, republic of singapore, republic of singapore navy, simbex, south china sea, submarine warfare, surface dimensions, war game