AIME 2026 began at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 28, bringing Indian and ASEAN maritime forces together for the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Indian Naval Ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish are participating in the exercise along with maritime forces from ASEAN member states. The exercise is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.”

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

AIME 2026 Brings India and ASEAN Together

The AIME 2026 exercise is designed to improve practical cooperation and coordination between India and Southeast Asian maritime forces. The participating forces will take part in professional and operational activities that allow personnel to understand each other’s procedures and work together at sea.

The exercise is taking place in two main stages. The first is the Harbour Phase, which includes professional exchanges, operational activities, cultural programmes, sporting events and community engagement. This will be followed by the Sea Phase, where participating forces will conduct coordinated maritime exercises and other operational activities.

The Indian Ministry of Defence said the Sea Phase will focus on improving professional understanding, operational coordination and interoperability through practical training at sea.

INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish Join the Exercise

India is represented by two Indian Navy warships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish. INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, while INS Kulish is a missile corvette of the Kora class.

The two ships had already been deployed to Subic Bay earlier in September for an ADMM-Plus maritime security joint cooperation activity. Their participation in AIME 2026 therefore forms part of a wider period of Indian naval engagement with maritime forces in the region. The ships concluded their earlier ADMM-Plus activity on September 25 before taking part in the ASEAN-India exercise.

Their presence also provides an opportunity for Indian naval personnel to conduct professional exchanges with regional forces and develop greater familiarity with maritime operations in Southeast Asian waters.

Two Phases of Maritime Training

The Harbour Phase of AIME 2026 focuses on activities that build professional links between participating forces. Subject Matter Expert Exchanges are among the planned engagements, along with sporting and cultural activities and community interaction.

A pre-sail briefing will take place before the participating ships move into the Sea Phase. During the sea activities, the forces will conduct coordinated exercises and operational serials.

These activities are intended to provide practical experience in working together. Interoperability is particularly important in multinational maritime operations because ships and personnel from different countries need to coordinate their communication, procedures and activities effectively.

India’s Maritime Engagement With ASEAN

The AIME 2026 exercise comes as India continues to expand maritime engagement with ASEAN countries. India’s participation is linked to its Act East Policy, which focuses on stronger economic, strategic and diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.

The exercise also supports the vision of MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The Indian government has used the framework to describe its approach to cooperation and development with countries across the wider maritime region.

The opening ceremony at Subic Bay was attended by India’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Harsh Kumar Jain, who served as the Guest of Honour and addressed the participating maritime forces.

Subic Bay and Regional Maritime Cooperation

Subic Bay is an important maritime location in the Philippines and has a long history of naval activity. Its location makes it a useful setting for multinational maritime exercises and professional exchanges.

India’s naval presence at Subic Bay in September and October 2026 also reflects growing maritime interaction between India and the Philippines. The Indian Navy’s deployment earlier this month was described by the Ministry of Defence as an opportunity to strengthen professional links and cooperation between the two countries. India and the Philippines established a Strategic Partnership in August 2025.

The location also places the exercise within the wider maritime environment of Southeast Asia, where countries are increasing cooperation on issues such as maritime security, safety, communication and protection of the marine environment.

AIME 2026 and the Indo-Pacific

The second edition of AIME 2026 is taking place amid increased maritime cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. India has recently participated in several naval activities with regional and international partners, including maritime exercises with Sri Lanka and Japan.

Such exercises provide opportunities for navies to train together without creating a permanent combined force. They allow participating countries to develop common procedures, improve communication and gain experience in coordinated maritime activities.

For India and ASEAN, the exercise also provides a regular platform for direct interaction between naval personnel. The practical activities at sea are supported by professional discussions and exchanges during the harbour phase.

Focus on Practical Cooperation

The main focus of AIME 2026 is practical maritime cooperation. Instead of limiting engagement to meetings and discussions, the exercise combines professional exchanges with coordinated activities at sea.

The participation of INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish gives India an opportunity to work alongside maritime forces from ASEAN member states in a structured training environment. The exercise is expected to strengthen mutual understanding and improve the ability of participating forces to coordinate during maritime operations.

The exercise at Subic Bay also adds to a series of Indian naval engagements in the region during September 2026, reflecting continued interaction between India, ASEAN countries and other Indo-Pacific maritime partners.