Learning important Navy Exercise is crucial for UPSC Prelims. These military exercises give insights into how countries interact, their preparedness for conflicts, and broader geopolitical dynamics. In a nutshell, knowledge of military exercises is essential for understanding current affairs and global politics for competitive exams like UPSC.
Important Navy Exercises:
Exercise Bongosagar
- The BONGOSAGAR 4th edition (2023), bilateral naval exercises involving the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy.
- Indian Navy vessels Kuthar, Kiltan, and the Maritime Patrol Aircraft Dornier participated alongside Bangladesh Navy ships Abu Bakr and Abu Ubaidah.
- Commencing in 2019, Exercise BONGOSAGAR laid the groundwork for ongoing maritime collaboration between India and Bangladesh.
- Its goals include fostering interoperability and joint operational expertise.
- The exercise encompasses various maritime drills and activities to bolster cooperation between the two navies.
SIMBEX
- SIMBEX, an annual bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy, has evolved from its original focus on anti-submarine warfare to include maritime security, anti-air, and anti-surface warfare components.
- It is the longest uninterrupted naval exercise India conducts with any other country, fostering cordial relations and marine cooperation.
- The exercise aims to enhance mutual trust, improve interoperability, and address common maritime challenges.
- SIMBEX comprises two phases: Harbour and Sea.
- The Harbour Phase involved professional and sporting interactions, including cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and planning meetings.
Exercise Malabar
- Malabar Exercise is a naval drill involving the navies of India, the United States, and Japan, with recent inclusion of Australia under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).
- It occurs alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and lasts from 6 to 14 sea days, involving complex missions like fighter combat and maritime interdiction operations.
- Named after the coastal region of Malabar in South-West India, where the initial exercises between the US and Indian navies occurred in 1992.
- Japan joined as a permanent member in 2015, after initially participating in 2007 but facing opposition from China thereafter.
- Australia’s participation began in 2020 following discussions between US and Indian defense officials, marking its inclusion under the QUAD framework.
- The goal of the Malabar Exercise is to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on maritime security.
- Various military agreements between India, the US, Japan, and Australia underscore their shared interests in safeguarding territorial integrity and international waterways.
Learn about Army Exercises and Air-Force exercises for UPSC Prelims.
Exercise Zayed Talwar
- Zayed Talwar constitutes a bilateral exercise involving the Indian and UAE Navies.
- Its primary objective is to improve interoperability and coordination between the two naval forces.
- During the exercise, ships will engage in professional exchanges covering various aspects of maritime operations.
- Both navies will exchange insights and adopt best practices to bolster cooperation and reinforce their relationship.
- The visit aims to bolster the maritime collaboration between India and the UAE, fostering mutual understanding of regional security challenges.
JIMEX
- India and Japan are currently engaged in the 11th edition (2023) of the JIMEX exercise, which began in 2012.
- Participants include various Indian naval assets such as INS Delhi, INS Kamorta, INS Shakti, a submarine, maritime patrol aircraft like P8I and Dornier, ship-borne helicopters, and fighter aircraft.
- The exercise spans six days and consists of two phases, starting with a harbor phase in Visakhapatnam. It involves professional, sports, and social interactions.
- The main focus of the exercise is to improve war fighting skills at sea and enhance interoperability across surface, sub-surface, and air operations.
- JIMEX 23 aims to exchange best practices and promote operational cooperation between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
SLINEX
- SLINEX, short for Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise, seeks to improve interoperability and mutual understanding while conducting various maritime operations together.
- The exercises involve professional, cultural, and sporting events, as well as social exchanges during the harbor phase, aimed at strengthening the friendship and camaraderie between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy.
- SLINEX was initiated in 2005 and has since become a series of naval exercises between the two countries navies.
ASEAN-India maritime exercise (AIME)
- AIME-2023 marks India’s inaugural participation in joint exercises with ASEAN. Whereas previous engagements were conducted separately with ASEAN nations.
- The primary objective of AIME is to improve interoperability and share best practices among participating navies.
- India becomes the fourth ASEAN dialogue partner, joining Russia, China, and the US, to host the ASEAN+1 maritime exercise.
- The inaugural exercise will take place off the coast of Singapore and will involve both harbor and at-sea activities.
- Two prominent Indian Navy vessels, the INS Delhi and INS Satpura, will be part of the exercise, showcasing India’s modern naval capabilities.
Exercise Al-Mohed-Al Hindi
- The exercise involves various coastal and sea-based drills aimed at enhancing interoperability between India and Saudi Arabia.
- INS Kochi, equipped with advanced digital networks and cutting-edge weapons, is referred to as a ‘Network of Networks’ due to its capabilities to counter maritime threats effectively.
- Objectives of the exercise include tactical manoeuvres, search and rescue operations, and electronic warfare drills to improve coordination.
- The exercise signifies the strengthening defense ties between India and Saudi Arabia amid evolving developments in the Gulf region.
- The professionalism and exchange of best practices during the ‘Al Mohed Al Hindi 23’ exercise highlight the growing partnership between the Indian Navy and the RSNF.
Other Important Navy Exercises
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