Navies of India & Japan conduct bilateral maritime exercise in Arabian Sea

The navies of India and Japan conducted a three-day bilateral maritime exercise called "JIMEX" in the Arabian Sea, the Defence Ministry stated Friday. "The exercise saw the ships and aircraft of Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and Indian Navy (IN) engaging in a high tempo of operations focused on air, surface and sub-surface dimensions of maritime operations as well as the air domain," the ministry noted as the exercise concluded on Friday.

The Indian Navy, under the command of Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, participated in the exercise with indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Kochi and guided missile frigate INS Teg, it mentioned.

The Indian Navy also fielded a P8I, a shore-based maritime reconnaissance aircraft and MiG 29K fighter aircraft, it stated.


The JMSDF was led by Rear Admiral Ikeuchi Izuru, who participated in the exercise with helicopter carrier Kaga and guided missile destroyer Murasame. Both ships participated with integral SH60K helicopters.

The units exercised 'War at Sea' scenario with P8I providing maritime reconnaissance support to both the navies, the ministry mentioned.

"The units practiced 'Replenishment at Sea' approaches and undertook fuel rig connect-up between Kaga and Kochi. The exercise also involved complex 'Over the Horizon Targeting' exercises and surface gun shoots on an expendable target," it added.

The complex maritime exercises undertaken will enable the two navies to further strengthen their already wide-ranging strategic partnership and, when required, to jointly safeguard their maritime interests and ensure peace, security and stability in the region, it noted.