The Indian and Singaporean Navies have begun a five-day joint naval exercise in the South China Sea to strengthen bilateral maritime security relations.

The navies have been conducting the joint exercises on alternate years in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea since 1994 to sharpen the skill of naval forces.

Five Indian navy ships manned by 1,400 naval personnel and four Singapore naval ships, including a submarine, are participating in the exercises.

The joint exercises include mock warfare and will help the navies tackle major challenges, especially piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Among the five Indian Navy ships, INS Ranvijay will carry out anti-submarine and anti-missile exercises, according to the Press Trust of India.