The Indian Navy’s indigenously built stealth frigate INS Shivalik arrived at Yokosuka, Japan to participate in the eighth edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2024 (JIMEX-24), marking a continuation of this important exercise since its inception in 2012.
JIMEX-24 will be a multi-faceted exercise encompassing both harbor and sea phases. The harbor phase will focus on professional interactions, sports events, and social gatherings to build camaraderie between the two navies. This will be followed by the sea phase, where the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will jointly conduct complex drills to refine their combat skills and heighten their ability to operate together seamlessly. These drills will involve surface warfare, submarine warfare, and air operations.
The Indian Navy will be represented by the INS Shivalik, while the JMSDF will be represented by the guided-missile destroyer JS Yugiri. Helicopters from both navies will also be integrated into the joint exercise.
JIMEX has grown significantly in scale and complexity over the years. This year’s iteration presents an invaluable opportunity for the IN and JMSDF to learn from each other’s best practices and strengthen operational cooperation. The joint exercise fosters mutual understanding and reaffirms the commitment of both nations towards ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ship was warmly welcomed by Vice Admiral ITO Hiroshi, Commander of the JMSDF Yokosuka District, and Ambassador Sibi George, India’s Ambassador to Japan.
Pic Courtesy: Indian Navy