The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid, conducted a successful live-firing of an Aster Surface-to-Air Missile on 12 July (Singapore time), as part of the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) maritime exercise.
Hosted by the United States Navy and held from 26 June to 1 August, Exercise RIMPAC 2014 comprises a shore planning phase and a 22-day sea phase conducted off the coast of Hawaii. RSS Intrepid, with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, is participating in this year’s exercise alongside assets from 21 other countries, including 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25 000 personnel.
As part of this year’s exercise, RSS Intrepid is commanding a task unit comprising four other warships from Chile, Norway and the United States. The ships conducted complex maritime exercise serials such as combined anti-submarine and air defence missions.
Commenting on the RSN’s participation in the exercise, Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral Timothy Lo said, “During Exercise RIMPAC, RSN successfully fired an Aster Surface-to-Air Missile and is also leading a task unit comprising of ships from the Chilean, Norwegian and United States navies. This exercise provides the RSN with a good opportunity to train with other established navies in complex maritime operations in a high intensity scenario.”
This is the fourth time the RSN is participating in this exercise and the second time it is commanding a multinational task unit during the exercise. This year’s Exercise RIMPAC also involves forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.
[mappress] Press Release, July 14, 2014; Image: Wikimedia