New Delhi (NVI): The three-day JIMEX-2020 naval exercise between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) concluded yesterday. This was the fourth edition of India-Japan maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX.
It was held in the North Arabian Sea from September 26 to 28. During the exercise, ships undertook anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, weapons firings, tracking and tactical maneuvers.
“JS KAGA (DDH 184) and JS IKAZUCHI (DD 107) conducted a bilateral exercise with @indiannavy in the west of India. Both navies improved tactical capabilities and demonstrated a strong ties between JMSDF and India,” the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force said in a tweet.
【Indo-Pacific Deployment 2020】
JS KAGA (DDH 184) and JS IKAZUCHI (DD 107) conducted a bilateral exercise with @indiannavy in the west of India. Both navies improved tactical capabilities and demonstrated a strong ties between JMSDF?? and IN??.#FreeandopenIndoPacific pic.twitter.com/tV0Mp18uNk— Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (@jmsdf_pao_eng) September 29, 2020
Surveillance aircraft & helos also participated in the exercise, making JIMEX-2020 the most intensive edition so far.
The exercises were conducted in ‘non-contact’ format and ships waved farewell to each other before parting ways.
India has been engaging with its regional partners to enhance interoperability, especially amidst the border standoff with China and Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Apart from Japan, India has been working with the Australian Defence Force to enhance interoperability and deepen engagement under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) for a secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Indian navy and the Royal Australian Navy recently conducted Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the east Indian Ocean region from September 23 to 24. The two-day exercise involved participation of HMAS Hobart from the Australian side and Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Karmuk.
Meanwhile, India is likely to hold a major naval exercise in November with the US and Japan. Australia is also expected to join.
The exercise is crucial in the wake of ongoing faceoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India is expanding the deployment of its warships in the Indian Ocean region in the wake of its tense border standoff in Ladakh.
-ARK
