The 3rd edition of India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise SITMEX – 21 – which has been annually conducted since 2019, is happening from November 15 to 16 in the Andaman Sea this year.
This exercise has been happening to enhance the mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices between the Indian Navy (IN), RSN and RTN.
In this edition, Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette will be participating. Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is being represented by RSS Tenacious, a Formidable Class Frigate and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) by His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Thayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Antisubmarine Patrol Craft.
The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise due to COVID-19 restrictions and highlights growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies. The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills.
The first edition of SITMEX was hosted by IN off Port Blair in September 2019. The second edition was hosted by RSN in November 2020. The 2021 edition of the exercise is being hosted by RTN in the Andaman Sea.
