28th Edition of ‘SIMBEX-2021’

Current Context: The 28th edition of the Bilateral Exercise between Singapore and India took place.

• The name of the annual bilateral maritime exercise is Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX).
• The SIMBEX-2021 was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the southern fringes of the South China Sea.
• India was represented by INS Ranvijay which is a Guided Missile Destroyer along with the shipborne helicopter. The ASW Corvette INS Kiltan, Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora, and P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft were also showcased in the exercise.
• Singapore was represented by Formidable Class Frigate, RSS Steadfast, embarked with an S-70B naval helicopter, Victory Class Missile Corvette, RSS Vigour, Archer Class Submarine, Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and F-16 fighter aircraft.
• The moto of the exercise was to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between both nations enhance maritime security.
• The navies conducted drills like live weapon firing, advanced naval warfare serials, and anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface warfare drills.

Question: 

Q.1 Which edition of the SIMBEX-2021 bilateral maritime exercise took place on the southern fringes of the South China Sea?

a. 28th
b. 17th
c. 11th 

d. 23rd