More than 4,000 personnel from more than 30 countries are going to be participating in the world’s largest maritime exercise, which kicked off last night in Bahrain.
The ninth edition of the International Maritime Exercise (IMX) began on board the Japanese ship JS Bungo, docked at the US Navy Base Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
“This year, more than 4,000 personnel from over 30 countries, and dozens of vessels and aircraft will operate in Jordan, Gulf of Aqaba, Arabian Gulf and here in Bahrain,” US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) vice-commander Rear Admiral, Lower Half Jeff Jurgemeyer noted during his keynote last night at the opening ceremony.
“They will undertake an important training and learn how interoperability among its partners is a key element of success.”
The multilateral maritime exercise is led by US NAVCENT. It is being conducted across a number of locations including Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and North Indian Ocean.
Its stated objectives are to ‘demonstrate global resolve in maintaining regional security, preserve rules-based international order, ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce, and foster regional maritime security co-operation.’
“Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together, and that our resolve is unwavering,” RDML Jurgemeyer added.
“The Middle East region has long been a critical crossroads, where worldwide powers can trade.
“IMX is our combined assurance that potential economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all.”
IMX 2025 is scheduled to run until February 20.
Established in 2012, initially just as an International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, the exercise focuses on maritime security from the port of origin to the port of arrival and includes scenarios that range from mine countermeasures, maritime infrastructure protection and maritime security operations in support of civilian shipping.
Today, it addresses the full spectrum of defence maritime warfare.
The last IMX took place in February 2023, and featured 18 days of partner engagement and operations by more than 50 countries and international organisations.
This year’s event will also include participants and partners from Cutlass Express, an exercise conducted in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean to counter malign influence, aggression and activity along overlapping command seams and maritime regions.
Cutlass Express is sponsored by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and led by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US Sixth Fleet.
“This exercise is a cornerstone of maritime security and co-operation in the strategic waters of the East African coast and the Western Indian Ocean,” an AFRIICOM spokesperson said, in a statement.
“It brings together maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe, North America, and several international organisations to enhance maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security, and increase interoperability among participating nations.”
Attendees at the opening ceremony included Royal Bahraini Naval Force Commander Rear Admiral Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Bin Ali and Japanese Minesweeper Division 3 Commander Captain Amano Shinsuke.
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