Question: SITMEX exercise is held among which of the following countries?
(a) India- Singapore-Thailand
(b) India- Sri Lanka-Thailand
(c) India- Singapore-Australia
(d) India- Singapore-Indonesia
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- A trilateral maritime exercise between India- Singapore-Thailand (SITMEX-19) has been started with its sea phase in the Andaman Sea from 18th September, 2019.
- SITMEX-19 is being organized between Indian Navy, Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
- The five days of maritime exercise aims to strengthen relations between all three countries along with enhancement of capability and cooperation between India, Singapore and Thailand.
Highlights
- Indian Navy’s Ships Ranvir- guided missile destroyer; Kora- a missile corvette; Sumedha- an offshore Patrol Vessel along with Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft- P81 are participating in the exercise.
- Earlier, the harbor phase of Sitmex-19 culminated at Port Blair. The phase included professional interaction comprising subject matter exchanges and pre-sail conference.
- Apart from the above RSS Tenacious- a Formidable-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and HTMS Kraburi- a Guided Missile Frigate which is engaged in various Gunnery, Force Protection Measures, Air Defence and Communication Exercises.
- This will enhance maritime interoperability between the participating navies. To provide experience of sharing of best practices, the sea riders have also been exchanged between participating ships.
Links:
https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/sea-phase-maiden-rsn-rtn-trilateral-exercise-commences
https://thediplomat.com/2019/09/whats-behind-the-first-india-singapore-thailand-trilateral-maritime-exercise/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/sitmex-19-sea-phase-goes-on/articleshow/71208904.cms