Indo-Japan maritime exercise starts

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 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 harbour 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 establishing 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 emphasising that strong India-Japan ties are very important for a free, open, rule-based and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
UNI