JAPAN-INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE (JAIMEX) – 2025

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, participated in the Sea phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan India Maritime Exercise) from 16 to 18 Oct 2025 and made a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on 21 Oct 2025 for the Harbour phase.

Prior to arriving at Yokosuka, INS Sahyadri and JMSDF Ships Asahi, Oumi and Submarine Jinryu participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX-25. The sea phase included advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare and missile defence drills, enhancing interoperability by undertaking flying operations and underway replenishment. JAIMEX-25 underscores the strong and burgeoning Navy-to-Navy interactions that underpin the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ established between India and Japan in 2014. This partnership is a crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

During the Harbour Phase at Yokosuka, the crews of INS Sahyadri and the participating JMSDF units will engage in a multitude of professional and cultural exchanges. The activities will include cross-deck visits, collaborative operational planning, sharing of best practices, and a combined Yoga session to foster camaraderie and unity. The port call also serves as a key engagement during the ship’s ongoing Long Range Deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is a testament to India’s growing pursuit of indigenous defence technology and the nation’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India). The multi-role stealth frigate has participated in various operational deployments, bilateral and multilateral exercises.

The strategic partnership between India and Japan has been very robust for a long time with significant focus on defence and maritime cooperation. The Indian Navy and JMSDF have been at the forefront of this growing partnership with a shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.