INS Sahyadri Joins India-Japan Maritime Exercise JAIMEX 25

Marking another milestone in the expanding India-Japan defence partnership, the Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri has arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, to participate in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025. The high-level bilateral naval drill, conducted from October 16–17, signifies deepening defence cooperation and strategic alignment between the two Indo-Pacific democracies. The exercise comes amid growing maritime challenges in the region and underlines a shared commitment to peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.

Ceremony and Deployment Highlights

INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, commanded by Captain Rajat Kumar, was formally received in Yokosuka by R Madhu Sudan, India’s Charge d’Affaires in Tokyo, and Rear Admiral Yamaguchi Nobohisa, Chief of Staff of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), Yokosuka District.

The Japan Self Defence Fleet stated that the exercise involved,

• INS Sahyadri from the Indian Navy
• Japanese assets including JS Asahi (destroyer), JS Oumi (supply ship), and a submarine
• Support from 2nd Artillery Brigade (JGSDF) and Western Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (JASDF)
• The joint operations took place west of Kyushu, focusing on multi-domain coordination and tactical interoperability at the joint operational level.