India-Japan bilateral maritime exercise ‘JIMEX 18’ begins at Visakhapatnam

The third edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX), JIMEX 18, began on October 7, 2018 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships under the command of Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukada, Commander of Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4), would be participating in the exercise along with the ships of Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy from October 7 to 15, 2018.

JIMEX-18

• JIMEX-18 is aimed to enhance interoperability, improve understanding and imbibe the best practices of each other.

• JIMEX 18 will comprise a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase of four days each.

• The Harbour Phase of the exercise will include professional and social interactions between ship’s crews, sports fixtures and operational planning for the Sea Phase.

• The Sea Phase would include Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercises, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) Drills, Gun Firings, Cross Deck Helo Operations and coordinated operations in Anti-Submarine/ Anti-Air threat scenarios.

Comment

The second edition of JIMEX was conducted in December 2013 off Chennai.

The conduct of JIMEX-18 after five long years is indicative of resurgence of the Indo-Japanese defence relations and the continued efforts of both Governments to work closely to enhance safety and security in keeping with ‘rule based order’.

Also, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force is a regular participant in the Malabar series of exercises between Indian and US Navies. In addition, the ships of the two navies have been working in close coordination in Anti-Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden (GoA) for the past few years.

JMSDF Ships also participated in the recently concluded MALABAR 18 off Guam (along with Indian and US Navy units) in the Pacific Ocean in Jun; and in biennial multilateral exercise  RIMPAC-18 off Hawaii, USA.

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