New Delhi: The sixth edition of the Japan India Maritime Exercise JIMEX hosted by the Indian Navy began in the Bay of Bengal on September 11, the Navy said on Tuesday.
The Japanese ships are being led by Rear Admiral Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla Four. The Indian ships are led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.
The Indian ships welcomed the Japanese Izumo, a helicopter carrier, and Takanami, a guided missile destroyer, on their arrival in the Bay of Bengal.
The Indian Navy is represented by three indigenously designed and built warships; Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate, and anti-submarine warfare corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti.
Additionally, guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, fleet tanker Jyoti, offshore patrol vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29-K fighter aircraft, long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and ship-borne helicopters are also participating in the exercise.
JIMEX 22 involves two Phases- exercises at sea and a harbor phase at Visakhapatnam. This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012.
It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface, and air domains.
India and Japan last week agreed to further increase the scope and complexities of the bilateral military exercises while emphasizing that strong India-Japan ties are very important for a free, open, rule-based, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
