SIMBEX 2025: India-Singapore Naval Exercise Strengthens Indo-Pacific Security -

The 2025 edition of SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) marked yet another milestone in the robust and evolving defence ties between India and Singapore. Held in the South China Sea, SIMBEX-25 showcased enhanced maritime interoperability, mutual strategic interests, and a commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific. As geopolitical competition intensifies in the region, such bilateral exercises gain added significance not just as tactical drills, but as instruments of strategic diplomacy.

Historical Background

SIMBEX is one of the longest-running bilateral naval exercises involving the Indian Navy, dating back to 1994. Over the decades, it has grown in complexity and scale from basic anti-submarine exercises to full-spectrum maritime warfare and integrated operations. The exercise reflects the enduring maritime partnership between India and Singapore, both of whom have vital interests in ensuring freedom of navigation and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

SIMBEX 2025 – Operational Highlights

SIMBEX 2025 featured a two-phase format the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.

During the Harbour Phase, held at Changi Naval Base in Singapore, planning conferences, tabletop exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, and cross-deck visits were conducted. These shore-based activities laid the groundwork for operational coordination.

The Sea Phase saw high-intensity exercises involving air defence drills, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) maneuvers, surface target tracking, and coordinated naval gunfire. Participating units included:

From India: INS Delhi, a guided missile destroyer; INS Shivalik, a multi-role stealth frigate; and P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
From Singapore: RSS Stalwart, a Formidable-class stealth frigate; and Fokker-50 MPA.

The integration of these platforms, sensors, and command structures demonstrated a high level of operational synergy and information sharing.

Strategic Significance

1. Indo-Pacific Focus

SIMBEX 2025 underscores India’s Act East Policy and growing maritime outreach. Singapore sits at the crossroads of key sea lanes, including the Strait of Malacca, a critical choke point for global trade and energy supply. Exercises like SIMBEX help safeguard these lanes, sending a strong message about upholding maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.

2. China Factor

While the exercise is not explicitly directed against any third country, its location and timing reflect strategic signaling. The South China Sea remains a contested region with increasing Chinese assertiveness. By conducting joint drills here, India and Singapore reinforce their commitment to freedom of navigation, adherence to UNCLOS, and resistance to coercive maritime behaviour.

3. ASEAN Defence Ties

Singapore serves as India’s gateway to ASEAN a central pillar in New Delhi’s regional strategy. Defence cooperation through exercises like SIMBEX not only strengthens bilateral ties but also boosts India’s credentials as a reliable security partner in Southeast Asia.

4. Naval Diplomacy

Naval diplomacy has emerged as a vital tool of Indian foreign policy. SIMBEX complements other initiatives like MILAN, Malabar, and INDO-PACOM engagements, enabling multilateral cooperation on issues like piracy, disaster relief, and maritime domain awareness.

Technological Interoperability

SIMBEX 2025 also served as a testbed for advanced systems integration. The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft, equipped with long-range sensors and torpedoes, operated seamlessly with Singapore’s air and naval platforms. Data sharing protocols and encrypted communications channels were tested under operational conditions.

This exercise demonstrated the two navies’ ability to operate under a common tactical picture, which is crucial for real-time decision-making in high-threat scenarios.

Future Outlook

As the Indo-Pacific continues to evolve into a theatre of great power competition, bilateral maritime partnerships will grow in importance. SIMBEX will likely expand to include more complex mission sets such as cyber defence, space-based surveillance, and unmanned system operations.

Additionally, both nations are exploring trilateral or multilateral frameworks involving like-minded countries such as Australia, Japan, and the US, to reinforce a rule-based maritime order.

Conclusion

SIMBEX 2025 exemplifies the growing strategic convergence between India and Singapore. Beyond tactical gains, it enhances trust, predictability, and regional stability in a time of increasing volatility. With deepening defence and diplomatic linkages, SIMBEX stands as a symbol of shared values—openness, rules-based order, and respect for sovereignty in the maritime domain.

As India charts its maritime rise, partnerships like SIMBEX will be pivotal—not just to secure sea lanes, but to shape the very rules that govern them.

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