Visakhapatnam's harbour has a new grey visitor this week. The Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Supreme sailed into the port city on Wednesday, October 21, to kick off the 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, better known as SIMBEX. The exercise runs until October 26 and will end with three days of complex warfare drills in the Bay of Bengal.
The opening ceremony was held on board two Indian Navy warships, INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta, and was attended by the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Eastern Naval Command, the Singapore Navy's Fleet Commander and senior officers from both sides.
From Lion King to SIMBEX: three decades of partnership
SIMBEX is one of India's longest-running naval exercises with any country. It began in 1994 under the name Exercise Lion King and has steadily grown in scale and complexity since then. What started as basic training interactions now includes advanced anti-submarine, air defence and surface warfare drills.
Over the years, the exercise has moved between Indian and Singaporean waters and has, in some editions, included submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and fighter jets alongside surface warships. Each edition builds on the last, with drills becoming more realistic and demanding.
The two navies have built a close working relationship over these years, sharing a common interest in keeping the sea lanes between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea open and secure. Much of India's trade with East Asia passes through the Malacca Strait, right next to Singapore, which makes the city-state a key maritime partner.
What's on the SIMBEX 2026 schedule
Harbour phase: October 21 to 23
The first part of the exercise is taking place in Visakhapatnam itself. Sailors and officers from both navies are holding professional discussions, subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits to each other's ships, sports fixtures and planning conferences for the sea phase.
Sea phase: October 24 to 26
The ships will then head out into the Bay of Bengal for the operational part of the exercise. Planned activities include:
- Anti-submarine warfare drills, a major focus of this edition
- Anti-surface and anti-air warfare exercises
- Seamanship evolutions, such as manoeuvring in close formation
- Tactical manoeuvres testing how well the two fleets can operate together
| Exercise | SIMBEX 2026 (33rd edition) |
| Dates | October 21 to 26, 2026 |
| Location | Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal |
| Singapore ship | RSS Supreme |
| Opening ceremony | On board INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta |
| Harbour phase | October 21 to 23 |
| Sea phase | October 24 to 26 |
| First held | 1994, as Exercise Lion King |
Why anti-submarine warfare is in focus
Submarine activity in the Indian Ocean has increased in recent years, and detecting a quiet submarine remains one of the hardest jobs at sea. INS Kamorta, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, is built for exactly this role, while INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Navy's newest class of stealth frigates. Practising together lets both navies test their sensors, communication links and procedures for hunting submarines as a team.
What it means for India
For India, SIMBEX is part of a wider effort to build strong security ties across the Indo-Pacific. The Navy says the exercise strengthens interoperability, helps both sides address common maritime security challenges, and supports peace and stability in the region.
Exercises like SIMBEX are also about trust. When sailors from two navies have trained side by side, shared operating procedures and visited each other's ships, they find it much easier to work together during real-world situations such as search and rescue, disaster relief or anti-piracy patrols.
It is also a busy season for the Eastern Naval Command. Visakhapatnam has emerged as a hub of naval diplomacy, regularly hosting foreign warships, multinational exercises and fleet reviews. For residents of the port city, the sight of visiting warships has become a familiar part of the calendar.
What happens next
After the harbour phase wraps up on Friday, the two navies will move out to sea on Saturday, October 24. The exercise will conclude on October 26, after which RSS Supreme is expected to depart Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy usually shares highlights and images from the sea phase once the drills are complete.
Comments (0)