Indian and Japanese naval ships are currently conducting war games in the north Arabian Sea, close to Pakistan. The fourth edition of the exercise named JIMEX – Japan India Maritime Exercise, which will end on Monday, showcased tactical exercises, involving weapon firing, cross deck helicopter operations and complex, anti-submarine and air warfare drills

India put its Navy on operational alert in the oceans around the country following the border row with China in the Ladakh sector. New Delhi has since deployed its warships along critical sea lanes of communication and other key points.

Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ships undertook weapon drills, seamanship evolutions and advanced exercises on the second day of the fourth edition of India-Japan maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX-2020.

JIMEX, which is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is being held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020.

The series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam, India.

JIMEX-2020 will showcase a high degree of inter-operability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the spectrum of maritime operations. JIMEX-2020 is being conducted in a 'non-contact at-sea-only format', in view of COVID-19 restrictions.

Indigenously built stealth destroyer Chennai, Teg Class stealth frigate Tarkash and Fleet Tanker Deepak, under the command of Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, will represent the Indian Navy.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force will be represented by JMSDF Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Ikazuchi, a Guided Missile Destroyer, led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, Commander Escort Flotilla - 2 (CCF - 2).

JIMEX-2020 will further enhance the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies and fortify the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.

#JMSDF ships Ikazuchi & Kaga led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, CCF2 & #IndianNavy ships Chennai Tarkash & Deepak led by Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, FOCWF carry out extensive #Maritime Ops during the 1st day of 4th Edition of #JIMEX-2020 (1/2).@SpokespersonMoD@JMSDF_PAO pic.twitter.com/w8XptCQdbu

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 26, 2020

​The three-day exercise was conducted in a "non-contact at-sea only format" in view of the COVID-19 restrictions.

The domestically-manufactured stealth destroyer Chennai, Teg-class stealth frigate Tarkash, and fleet tanker Deepak are representing India, while the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force has its ship Kaga, a helicopter destroyer, and Ikazuchi, a guided missile destroyer. Besides this, P8I long range maritime patrol aircraft, integral helicopters, and fighter aircrafts are also participating in the exercise.

The Indian Navy has been engaging with several other navies in its strategic maritime zones amidst emerging security challenges for the country. Earlier this month, it conducted two-day ocean war games with the navies of Russia and Australia covering diverse activities across a wide spectrum of maritime operations.