Article Posted on : - May 23, 2014

NEW DELHI (PTI): Navies of India and Singapore are conducting joint war drills in the Andaman Sea to enhance understanding and inter-operability between the two sides.

Every year, the two countries hold the SIMBEX-series of naval drills along the eastern sea board of India.

"The 2014 edition of the SIMBEX 14 series of annual bilateral naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy is being conducted in the Andaman Sea from May 22-28," a Navy release said.

SIMBEX 14 will be the 21st exercise of the wargames between the two navies.

"Bilateral naval cooperation between the two navies was first formalised when Singaporean Navy ships began training in anti-submarine warfare with us in 1994," the release said.

SIMBEX stands for 'Singapore Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise'.

This year, the Indian Navy is being represented by IN ships Kuthar and Karmuk from the Eastern Naval Command. In addition, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a helicopter each from Andaman and Nicobar Command are also participating in the exercise.

The Singapore Navy is represented by the missile corvette, 'Valour' and the patrol vessel, 'Independence'.