Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri participates in India-Japan maritime exercise JAIMEX 25

India’s indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate INS Sahyadri took part in a joint maritime exercise with Japan, highlighting the continuing naval cooperation between the two countries.

The Shivalik-class multi-role stealth frigate participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX 25 (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) from 16 to 18 October 2025 as part of the Indian Navy’s ongoing deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. Following the sea drills, the ship made a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on 21–22 October for the harbour phase of the exercise.

During the sea phase, INS Sahyadri conducted multiple operational drills, including anti-submarine warfare, missile defence, flying operations, and underway replenishment. The participating Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) units included the ships Asahi and Oumi, along with submarine Jinryu. The exercises aimed to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and JMSDF and strengthen professional naval coordination.

In the harbour phase at Yokosuka, the crews of INS Sahyadri and the JMSDF units engaged in professional and cultural exchanges. Activities included cross-deck visits, collaborative operational planning, sharing of best practices, and a combined yoga session to foster camaraderie and mutual understanding. The port call formed part of INS Sahyadri’s long-range deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

An official from the Indian Navy stated that JAIMEX 25 “underscores the strong and burgeoning navy-to-navy interactions that underpin the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, established in 2014. This partnership is a crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.”

INS Sahyadri, commissioned in 2012, is part of India’s Eastern Fleet and demonstrates the country’s focus on indigenous defence technology under the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The stealth frigate has participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises and operational deployments since its commissioning.

The Indian Navy highlighted the strategic importance of such exercises in strengthening defence cooperation, professional naval exchanges, and operational readiness, reflecting the shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.