The exercise will give a chance to both India and ASEAN nations to collaborate closely and carry out efficient maritime operations
Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Delhi, under the command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, arrived in Singapore on May 1, 2023, to take part in the inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023).

The exercise is set to run from May 2-8, 2023, with the Harbour Phase taking place at Changi Naval Base from May 2-4 and the Sea Phase in the South China Sea from May 7-8. The harbour phase will feature a series of professional and cultural exchanges among the participating nations. In contrast, the subsequent sea phase will involve a diverse array of naval maneuvers, including exercises in surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense.

For the uninitiated, INS Delhi and INS Satpura are part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, which operates under the command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and is based in Visakhapatnam. These two vessels are armed with advanced weapons and sensors, with INS Delhi being India's first domestically produced guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura being an indigenous guided missile stealth frigate.

"AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain," the Ministry of Defence said on Monday.

Subsequently, these vessels will also take part in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) being held in Singapore during their port of call, the ministry added.