JIMEX 2020: Indian And Japanese Navies To Hold Three-Day Mega Maritime Exercise From Today

In a sign of a further strengthening relationship between India and Japan, the naval forces of the two countries are set to hold a three-day mega military exercise beginning today (25 September) in the North Arabian Sea, reports Times of India.

The exercise gains significance as it will be the first military exercise between the two navies since they signed a landmark bilateral agreement on 9 September which now allows the two nations to access each other's bases for logistical support.

It will be the fourth edition of the Indo-Japanese maritime exercise which is known as Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX). It will feature a multitude of advanced exercises across the spectrum of maritime operations, in reflection of high degree of inter-operability and joint operational skills.

The first-ever JIMEX maritime exercise was held in 2012, while the last edition was held in 2018 off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

The latest edition which is set to kick off today will involve a wide gamut of maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and fighter aircraft. The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Chennai which is a destroyer ship, INS Tarkash which is a Teg class frigate, and INS Deepak which is a fleet tanker while the Japanese Naval ships Kaga, an Izumo class helicopter destroyer and Ikazuchi, a guided missile destroyer will represent the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.