The 32nd edition of SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) was conducted from July 28 to August 1, 2025, involving the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The exercise took place ashore at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base and at sea in the southern South China Sea. The five-day drill featured both harbour and sea phases, involving complex maritime operations and air support.
About SIMBEX 2025
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Form | Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise |
| Edition | 32nd |
| Location | Harbour: RSS Singapura – Changi Naval BaseSea: Southern South China Sea |
| Duration | 5 Days (Concluded on August 1, 2025) |
| Started As | Exercise Lion King in 1994 |
| Conducted By | Indian Navy & Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) |
| Significance | Longest-running uninterrupted naval exercise of the Indian Navy with any foreign navy |
| Strategic Importance | Enhances regional maritime security and aligns with India’s Vision SAGAR and Act East Policy |
Participating Naval Assets
| India | Singapore |
| INS Delhi (Destroyer) | RSS Supreme (Formidable-class Frigate) |
| INS Satpura (Frigate) | RSS Vigilance (Victory-class Corvette) |
| INS Kiltan (Corvette) | MV Mentor (Support Ship) |
| INS Shakti (Fleet Tanker) | RSAF: 2 F-15SG fighters, 2 Fokker-50 patrol aircraft, 1 S70B naval helicopter |
Exercise Phases
Harbour Phase
- Held at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base
- Activities:
- Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs)
- Simulator training
- Joint planning and professional interactions
- Sports and deck familiarization
- Discussion on Maritime Air Operations and Compliant Boarding Procedures
Sea Phase
- Held in South China Sea
- RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base is Singapore’s main naval facility.
- South China Sea is a strategically vital maritime region with significant geopolitical importance.
- Activities:
- Gunnery firing, Air Defence Drills
- Precision targeting and complex tactical manoeuvres
- VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, Seizure) operations
- Cross-deck helicopter operations
- Sail-past marking exercise closure
Significance of SIMBEX 2025
- Bilateral Milestone: Conducted as India and Singapore mark 60 years of diplomatic relations
- Reinforces:
- Maritime interoperability
- Regional stability and security in Indo-Pacific
- Naval coordination and joint operations against modern maritime threats
- Supports India’s strategic maritime vision:
- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
- Act East Policy
About SIMBEX
- Inception: 1994 (as Exercise Lion King)
- Evolution: From basic ASW exercises to full-scale multi-dimensional warfare drills
- Partner Navy: Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
- SIMBEX is one of India’s longest uninterrupted naval exercises with any country.
Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
- Maritime arm of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
- Operates Formidable-class frigates, Victory-class corvettes, submarines, and support ships
- Key focus: Littoral security, anti-submarine warfare, and regional patrols
Other India–Singapore Military Engagements
| Exercise Name | Type | Participants |
| Agni Warrior | Army | Indian Army & Singapore Army |
| Joint Military Training (JMT) | Air Force | IAF & Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) |
INS Delhi
- India’s first indigenously-built guided-missile destroyer
- Commissioned: 15 November 1997
- Armed with: BrahMos, Barak SAM, advanced radar, sonar, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems
INS Satpura
- Shivalik-class stealth frigate
- Commissioned: 20 August 2011
- Features: Stealth tech, long-range missiles, and multi-role capability