Indian Navy to Participate in 32nd SIMBEX in Singapore

Overview: The Indian Navy is participating in the 32nd edition of SIMBEX 2025, the longest-running bilateral naval exercise with Singapore, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation. Indian warships INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti are taking part in the drills, showcasing India’s advanced naval capabilities. This exercise strengthens regional security, aligns with India’s Act East Policy, and promotes the Vision SAGAR initiative for a free and secure Indo-Pacific.

Riyaz

Jul-19-2025

Indian Navy to Participate in 32nd SIMBEX in Singapore

SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) occurs for the 32nd time in Singapore. It is the longest continuously held uninterrupted bilateral exercise in the Indian navy which is meant to enhance maritime cooperation in the region. The warships of Indian Navy INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti have come to the drills. SIMBEX welcomes the Indian Act east Policy and its Vision SAGAR that can offer a free and secure sea passage. Safety in the sea of India, previous SAR and close ASEAN-India navy relationships were raised by the Indian envoy.

What is SIMBEX?

Feature	Details
Full Form	Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise
Started	1994 (originally as “Exercise Lion King”)
Edition	32nd (in 2025)
Participants	Indian Navy & Republic of Singapore Navy
Location	Singapore (2025 edition)
Objectives	Maritime cooperation, interoperability, regional security

Indian Ships Participating in 2025

Ship	Type	Key Features
INS Delhi	Guided Missile Destroyer	Indigenous, frontline warship
INS Satpura	Stealth Frigate	Part of Shivalik-class, multi-role
INS Kiltan	Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette	Equipped with advanced sonar
INS Shakti	Fleet Replenishment Tanker	Provides fuel, water, and logistics support

SIMBEX Strategic Relevance

For India:
- Enhances sea power and interoperability
- Attributes to Vision SAGAR (Security And Growth to all in the region)
- Fits under the Act East Policy and ASEAN defence relations
In the Region:
- Fosters freedom of navigation, and tackles non-state threats such as piracy
- Facilitates additional reaction to Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR)

Recent Background

The first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise was co-hosted by India and Singapore in 2023.
HADR and SAR activities of the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea were recognized all over the world.
Stress on common learning and training towards regional stability.

Act East Policy + Vision SAGAR

Policy	Focus Area
Act East Policy	Enhancing ties with Southeast and East Asia across sectors
Vision SAGAR	Ensuring maritime security, economic growth, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region

Defence relationship between India and Singapore

Prerequisites of deep naval collaboration since the 1990s.
Frequent high profile defence talks, logistic exchange, and mutual port visit.
Singapore has given the Indian Navy use of Changi Naval Base to extend Indian operations in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

In the budding context of India as a maritime power and regional security actor, the 32 nd SIMBEX is another milestone to be marked. The bilateral exercises help India get closer to friendly navies to enhance its interoperability as well as to improve its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific. The deployment of sophisticated indigenous warships demonstrates the increasing capabilities of the outfitting and rootedness of the band of rules-based maritime order by India.