Pariksha Saathi33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026), hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, concludes
The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026), hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, concluded on 26 October 2026, the Ministry of Defence said on 27 October 2026. The exercise further strengthened the longstanding maritime cooperation and operational engagement between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). As part of the engagement, Colonel Bertram Ang, Fleet Commander of the RSN, called on Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and exchanged professional views on strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries. SIMBEX-2026 was conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, professional interactions, sporting engagements and planning conferences, while the Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal involved Maritime Interdiction Operations, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and cross-deck flying operations. The RSN was represented by RSS Supreme, a Formidable-class stealth frigate with an embarked SH-70B helicopter, and the Indian Navy by the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, the ASW corvette INS Kamorta and aviation assets including P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and MH-60R helicopters. The Ministry said the exercise also demonstrated the commitment of both nations to enhancing maritime security and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Drafted with AI assistance from the official PIB release linked above and checked against it by a second AI pass. Not line-edited by a human.
Learning context
SIMBEX began as 'Exercise Lion King' in 1994 and has since evolved into one of the most significant bilateral maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Its 31st edition was also held at Visakhapatnam, in the Eastern Naval Command, and was scheduled from 23 to 29 October 2024; Republic of Singapore Navy Ship RSS Tenacious, with an embarked helicopter, arrived at Visakhapatnam on 23 October 2024 to take part. That edition was to be conducted in two phases - the Harbour Phase from 23 to 25 October at Visakhapatnam and the Sea Phase from 28 to 29 October in the Bay of Bengal - and its opening ceremony was scheduled for 24 October 2024 onboard INS Shivalik. Its Sea Phase was to include live weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, anti-surface and anti-air operations, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres, and the edition aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Singapore by enhancing interoperability, improving maritime domain awareness and fostering cooperation to address common maritime challenges.
Check yourself: under what name and in which year did SIMBEX begin, and where was its 31st edition held?
As 'Exercise Lion King', in 1994; at Visakhapatnam, in the Eastern Naval Command (scheduled from 23 to 29 October 2024).
Revision task: from this release, note the edition, host city and conclusion date of SIMBEX-2026, its two phases and where the Sea Phase was held, and the ships and aircraft of the two navies; from the note, SIMBEX's original name and the year it began, and the venue, dates and participating RSN ship of the 31st edition.
Test yourself
Which indigenously built stealth frigate represented the Indian Navy in SIMBEX-2026, the 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, hosted at Visakhapatnam?
Show the answer
Answer: INS Nilgiri
The Indian Navy was represented by the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, the ASW corvette INS Kamorta and aviation assets including P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and MH-60R helicopters; the Republic of Singapore Navy fielded RSS Supreme, a Formidable-class stealth frigate with an embarked SH-70B helicopter. The exercise concluded on 26 October 2026.
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