Indian, Singaporean navies hold war game in China's backyard

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Indian Navy is engaged in a week-long advanced war game with its Singaporean counterpart in the South China Sea, the backyard of giant neighbour China.

The 'Simbex' exercise, which began March 18, is the 18th in a series that began in 1994.

China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary dispute with several countries of the region, including Singapore.

Hosted by Singapore this year, the exercise is witnessing joint naval warfare training involving air, surface and sub-surface dimensions, aimed at enhancing the interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies, an Indian Navy press release said here Thursday.

'The exercise comprises a shore phase, already held at the Changi Naval Base, and a sea phase currently being carried out in the South China Sea,' the release added.

Singapore is participating in the exercise with three frigates, a missile corvette, a submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft, while its air force will deploy a fighter aircraft. India has sent three destroyers, a corvette, a fleet tanker and a maritime patrol aircraft.

'Simbex started in 1994 as a training-oriented anti-submarine warfare exercise and has since grown in scale and complexity over the years. The exercise underscores the long-standing defence ties between the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy,' the release said.

The two navies also interact regularly through a range of activities, including professional exchange programmes, staff talks and courses