The seventh edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23) is all set to commence from 5th to 10th July 2023 in Visakhapatnam, India. This significant exercise marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX since its inaugural edition in 2012 and aims to enhance the interoperability and cooperation between the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy. The exercise will be divided into two phases: the Harbour Phase, which will focus on professional, sports, and social interactions to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen bonds; and the Sea Phase, where the navies will engage in complex multi-discipline operations across surface, sub-surface, and air domains to refine their warfighting skills and boost interoperability.
Participating in JIMEX 23 will be several Indian naval vessels, including INS Delhi, India’s first domestically constructed Guided Missile Destroyer, and INS Kamorta, a Corvette designed and built in India for Anti-Submarine Warfare. The fleet tanker INS Shakti, a submarine, maritime patrol aircraft P8I and Dornier, ship-borne helicopters, and fighter aircraft will also be part of the exercise. Representing the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will be the guided missile destroyer JS Samidare and its accompanying helicopters.
JIMEX 23 underscores the shared commitment of India and Japan in ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations recognize the significance of a rules-based international order and the need for collaborative efforts to address common maritime challenges. Over the years, JIMEX has evolved, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, enhancing operational interactions, and fostering mutual cooperation between the Indian Navy and the JMSDF. The exercise serves as a valuable platform for both navies to learn from each other’s best practices, develop a deeper understanding of maritime operations, and strengthen their overall capabilities.
JIMEX 2023 commemorates its 7th edition and marks the maiden JIMEX, which was conducted off Japan in January 2012.