The sixth edition of Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) hosted by Indian Navy commenced in the Bay of Bengal recently.
About JIMEX 2022:
JIMEX series of exercises was started in January 2012. It mainly focuses on maritime security cooperation.
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.
The Indian Navy is being represented by three indigenously designed and built warships;
Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate and
Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti.
Japan is represented by Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Izumo, a Helicopter Carrier, and Takanami, a Guided Missile Destroyer.
Significance:
The sixth edition of JIMEX is not only significant due to India and Japan’s involvement in the Quad, but the occasion also marks 10 years since the exercise’s first edition.
It is also 70 years since diplomatic relations between India and Japan were established.