The Fourth Edition of the Biennial Japan-India Maritime Exercise JIMEX-2020 took place between Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in the North Arabian Sea from 26th September-28th September, 2020.
Due to Pandemic, JIMEX-2020 is conducted in a ‘non-contact at-sea-only format’.
Key Points:
i.The Indian Navy deployed indigenously built Stealth destroyer INS Chennai, Stealth Frigate Tarkash & Fleet Tanker Deepak, will be led by Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Indian Navy.
ii.JMSDF will be represented by JMSDF Ships Kaga, Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and lkazuchi, Guided Missile Destroyer, and will be led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, Commander Escort Flotilla-2 (CCF-2).
iii.The maritime exercise showcased a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills by conducting advanced exercises, across all spectrum of maritime operations.
iv.It involved weapon firings, cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare drills through coordination of two navies.
v.The maritime cooperation between the two countries has increased significantly, with focus on Information sharing and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Indo-Pacific.
Note:- This is the first Exercise between India and Japan after the signing of Mutual Logistics Support between the two countries on September 10, 2020.
Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX):
i.The JIMEX started in January 2012 with focus on maritime security cooperation.
ii.The Last Edition of JIMEX was held at Visakhapatnam in October 2018.
Recent Related News:
i.On June 26, 2020, Indian Navy inducted an Advanced Torpedo Decoy System (ATDS) namely ‘Maareech’ that is capable of being fired from all frontline warships. It is equipped with sonars and towed and expendable decoys, which are capable of detecting, confusing, diverting and decoying the incoming torpedoes.
ii.On March 17, 2020 Justice DY Chandrachud directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to serving women officers in the Navy within three months with increments.The judgment follows a verdict by the Apex Court in favour of granting permanent commission for women in the Indian Army.
About Japan:
Prime Minister – Yoshihide Suga
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese Yen
