India, Singapore hold drill in South China Sea

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

India and Singapore on Saturday completed their three-day joint exercise at sea conducted at the southern edge of the South China Sea.

The two countries did what was the 28th edition of Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX).

Since the first week of August, a flotilla of four Indian warships is on an overseas deployment to the South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific. The deployment of the Indian Navy is aimed at expanding its operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries.

In the exercise with Singapore, three Indian Naval warships — INS Ranvijay, INS Kiltan and INS Kora — participated along with a P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The Singapore Navy fielded RSS Steadfast, RSS Vigour, one Archer Class Submarine and one Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Four F-16 fighter aircraft also participated in the exercise.

The two sides carried out live weapon firing and advanced naval warfare serials, including anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-ship warfare drills.

The India-Singapore Defence relations remain a very significant aspect of the overall bilateral relationship and cover a very wide spectrum of collaboration from conventional military-to-military exchanges.

Singapore

RSS Steadfast | RSS Vigour

Archer Class Submarine

Four F-16 fighter aircraft

India

INS Ranvijay, Kiltan, Kora

P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft