Japan-India maritime drill begins in Bay of Bengal

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JIMEX 22 consists of two phases – maritime exercises and a harbour phase in Visakhapatnam…reports Asian Lite News

The sixth edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) being hosted the Indian Navy began in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday.

The Indian Naval ships welcomed Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Izumo, a Helicopter Carrier, and Takanami, a Guided Missile Destroyer, on their arrival in the Bay of Bengal, India’s Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The Indian Navy is represented by three indigenously designed and built warships: INS Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate; INS Kadmatt and INS Kavaratti, anti-submarine warfare corvettes.

Along with these ships, guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, fleet tanker Jyoti, offshore patrol vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29K fighter jets, long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and ship-borne helicopters are also taking part in the drill from the Indian side, the Ministry of Defence added.

The Indian Navy ships participating in this exercise are commanded by R. Adm. Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, whereas the ships of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) are headed by R. Adm. Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander, Escort Flotilla Four.

JIMEX 22 consists of two phases – maritime exercises and a harbour phase in Visakhapatnam.

This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012. It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

According to the Ministry of Defence, “JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between the maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface, and air domains.”

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