INS Karmuk Nears End of SITMEX-25 Drills with Singapore and Thailand Navies
Indian Kora-class corvette completes sea phase of trilateral exercise enhancing Indo-Pacific interoperability.
Indian Naval Ship INS Karmuk, an indigenously built Kora-class corvette, is approaching the conclusion of its participation in the fifth edition of the Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX-25), hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy from November 23 to 29, 2025. The exercise involves INS Karmuk alongside Singapore's RSS Dauntless and Thailand's HTMS Krabi, focusing on advanced naval maneuvers, tactical drills, and communication exercises along the International Maritime Boundary Line. Naval Component Commander Commodore Nitesh Garg and Commanding Officer Cdr Karan Tiwari briefed India's High Commissioner to Singapore Dr Shilpak Ambule on the ship's progress.
SITMEX-25 opened with a three-day Harbour Phase at Changi Naval Base, featuring cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, and sporting events to foster camaraderie and mutual understanding among personnel from the Indian Navy (IN), Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The ongoing Sea Phase, running since November 26 until November 29, includes formation maneuvering, merchant vessel tracking, ship-boarding operations, anti-air firing drills, coordinated surveillance, surface target firing, and passage exercises. These activities aim to enhance interoperability and collective maritime capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
The Indian High Commission in Singapore welcomed INS Karmuk, highlighting its role in deepening regional ties and extending best wishes for productive engagements. Launched annually since 2019—starting in Port Blair (India-hosted), followed by RSN and RTN editions—SITMEX reinforces shared commitments to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific amid evolving security dynamics. INS Karmuk's repeated involvement underscores India's consistent contributions to trilateral naval synergy.
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The exercise culminates with a closing ceremony onboard RSS Dauntless in Phuket, Thailand, on November 29, celebrating enhanced operational readiness and enduring partnerships. Such engagements build trust, refine tactics, and ensure seamless coordination among the three navies safeguarding common maritime interests.
SITMEX-25 exemplifies strategic alignment in the region, promoting peace, stability, and domain awareness through joint training while demonstrating the operational prowess of participating assets like the missile-armed INS Karmuk.
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