The Philippine Navy and Indian Navy have finalized preparations for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 (AIME 2026), set to run from September 28 to October 2.
The Final Planning Conference took place from August 10 to 12 in Pasay City, Metro Manila, co-presided over by Commodore Lued Lawan Lincuna of the Philippine Navy and Commodore Amaninder Singh Sangha of the Indian Navy.
Serving as co-hosts under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea,” both navies will welcome participating forces from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and Brunei.
AIME 2026 aims to strengthen maritime partnerships, bolster regional security, and enhance operational interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.
Highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation, Lincuna pointed out that the modern maritime environment demands combined action to tackle evolving traditional and non-traditional threats.
He emphasized that whether protecting vital sea lines of communication or responding to emerging security concerns, collective effectiveness hinges on the ability of nations to “cooperate, communicate and operate together with confidence and professionalism.”
For his part, Sangha underlined the deep historical and strategic ties between ASEAN member states and India. Addressing the changing nature of regional threats, he stressed the need for a shared commitment to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The Philippine Navy reaffirmed that its involvement in AIME 2026 aligns with its commitment to defense diplomacy and regional stability, continuing efforts to build mutual trust and readiness alongside partner nations.