India and Singapore Navies Launch 33rd Edition of SIMBEX Exercise in Visakhapatnam

Key facts

• The 33rd edition of the Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) commenced in Visakhapatnam on October 21, 2026 and will continue until October 26.
• Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ship RSS Supreme arrived in Visakhapatnam to participate in the exercise, and the opening ceremony was held onboard INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta.
• SIMBEX was first conducted in 1994 as Exercise Lion King and has since evolved into a significant bilateral maritime engagement between the Indian Navy and the RSN.
• The Harbour Phase, from October 21 to 23, includes professional interactions, subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits, sporting engagements and planning conferences.
• The Sea Phase, from October 24 to 26 in the Bay of Bengal, involves anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres.