The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in a various tactical exercises

India, Singapore and Thailand have begun their two-day (November 15-16) maritime exercise SITMEX-21 in the Andaman Sea, a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Monday said.

In the annual exercise, while the Indian Navy is represented by INS Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette, Republic of Singapore Navy is being represented by RSS Tenacious, a Formidable Class Frigate,the Royal Thai Navy is represented by (HTMS) Thayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft.

SITMEX is being conducted annually since 2019 with an aim to enhance mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices between Indian Navy (IN), RSN and RTN, the Ministry of Defence said.

The maiden edition of SITMEX was hosted by the Indian Navy off Port Blair in September 2019. RSN hosted the second edition of the exercise in November 2020. The 2021 edition of the exercise is being hosted by RTN in the Andaman Sea.

The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 restrictions and highlights growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies, the Ministry said.

The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills, it added.

SITMEX-21 will fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and further enhance the cooperation between the participating navies towards augmenting the overall maritime security in the region, it further added.