Mexico and Japan conduct joint naval exercises in Manzanillo

The Mexican Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted joint naval maneuvers, known as PASSEX (Passing Exercise), in the Pacific Ocean waters off Manzanillo, Colima.

The exercise involved the Mexican long-range ocean patrol vessel ARM ‘Juárez’ (POLA-101) and the Japanese training squadron vessels ‘Kashima’ (TV-3508) and ‘Yamagiri’ (TV-3515). The Japanese contingent, consisting of approximately 580 personnel, was led by Rear Admiral Azuma Ryoko, the first woman to command the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron.

Key activities included communication, navigation, and tactical coordination drills. The maneuvers also featured ‘cross-deck’ procedures for personnel transfer between vessels and flight operations involving a Mexican Panther helicopter (ANX-2163) performing landing and takeoff maneuvers on the participating ships. These exercises aim to strengthen interoperability, standardize procedures, and enhance maritime cooperation between the two nations.