India, Singapore conduct naval exercise in South China Sea

NEW DELHI (PTI): Close to Chinese maritime boundary, the Indian Navy is engaging the Singaporean Navy in an eight day wargames in the South China Sea.

During the exercise, the two navies will develop and share each other's skills in training and related aspects of anti-submarine warfare, Indian Navy officials said here.

"This time, Singapore Navy has deployed three frigates, a missile corvette, a submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft. The Singapore Air Force is also deploying fighter aircraft in it," they added.

India has sent three destroyers, a corvette, a fleet tanker and a maritime patrol aircraft for the exercise which consists of two phases, one in shore and the other in sea.

The shore-based exercise was held at the Changi Naval base while the sea-based exercise is being carried out in the South China Sea, the officials added.

SIMBEX series of joint exercises were started between the two navies in 1994.

China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary disputes with several countries of ASEAN region, including Singapore.

Source : http://www.brahmand.com