Syllabus Section: Security and Defence/ International Relations

WHY IN NEWS

The trilateral naval exercise between Singapore, India and Thailand called the SITMEX- 20 was held in the Andaman Sea. The naval exercise was organized in a “Non-contact at sea only format” because of covid19 restrictions.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SITMEX-20 EXERCISE:

• This is the second edition of SITMEX exercise conducted between the navies of three countries.

• The Second edition of the SITMEX is being participated by the Indian Navy Ships including indigenously built Kamorta-class corvette (INS Kamorta) and INS Karmuk (Kora-class corvette).

• The 2020 edition of the exercise was hosted by Singapore navy-Republic of Singapore Navy.

• Republic of Singapore Navy was represented by the ‘Formidable’ Class frigate ‘Intrepid’ and ‘Endurance’ Class Landing Ship Tank ‘Endeavour’.

• While the Thailand’s Royal Thai Navy was represented by the ‘Chao Phraya’ Class frigate ‘Kraburi’.

• The trilateral exercise also involved firing of the weapon on the surface, war at sea exercise, coordinated navigation operation and evolution of the seamanship

• The primary objective of the SITMEX-20 is to increase the interoperability between the three countries navies and it also enhances the multifaceted Maritime operations.

• First edition of SITMEX-19 : In September 2019, first edition of the SITMEX trilateral exercise was hosted by Indian Navy at the Port Blair

 

Source: the news on All India Radio (AIR)