JMSDF Ship JS Makinami, a Takanami class destroyer, is on a goodwill visit to Mumbai from 18 - 20 February 2023. The ship is on passage to Manama, Bahrain and is being deployed for anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Aden. Captain FUJII Kenrichi, Commander Escort Division Seven (CED 7) and Commander NOSE Koji, Commanding Officer JS Makinami, accompanied by Captain TACHIBANA Hiroshi, DA of Japan in India, called on Rear Admiral Kunal Singh Rajkumar, CSO (Ops) at Headquarters WNC, Mumbai, and discussed subjects of common interest. India and Japan conduct JIMEX series of exercises regularly between their navies. Since 2015, Japan has also been participating in Malabar series of naval exercises that now also include Australia. JS Uraga and JS Awaji visited Kochi from 14 - 16 February 2023, prior proceeding to Persian Gulf to participate in a multilateral exercise. Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ is also in progress from 17 February - 02 March 2023, between armies of two countries at Camp Imazu, Shiga Province, Japan. Over the decades, both counties have endeavoured to enhance cooperation in maritime affairs, military logistics and defence-industrial matters to develop niche weapon systems. During their stay at Mumbai, JMSDF personnel will visit places of cultural interest.
