India, Japan Concludes Military Exercise In Bay Of Bengal

The sixth edition of the Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022, JIMEX 22 hosted by the Indian Navy concluded in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. 

The Sahyadri, a multipurpose stealth frigate and the anti-submarine warfare corvettes, Kadmatt and Kavaratti participated in the exercise. 

Additionally, Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay, Fleet Tanker Jyoti, Offshore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and ship-borne helicopters also participated in the exercise.

JIMEX 22, started on 11 September and concluded after one of the most complex exercises undertaken jointly by the two navies. Both sides engaged in advanced level anti-submarine warfare, weapon firings and Air Defence exercises.

JIMEX 22 aims to strengthen the high level of interoperability between the marine forces of the two nations by conducting challenging exercises in the surface, subsurface, and air domains.

Indian Naval ships led by Rear Adm Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ships Izumo and Takanami led by Rear Adm Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla Four, participated in the week-long exercise. 

The 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and India and the exercise, which marked the tenth anniversary of JIMEX since its start in 2012, will help in consolidating mutual understanding and interoperability between the two navies.

The exercises were designed to improve interoperability and streamline communication and seamanship practices.