Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Stuart and tanker HMAS Sirius wrapped up the two-day maritime exercise SINGAROO with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) corvettes RSS Valiant and Vigour.
The exercise took place in waters off Singapore.
The biennial exercise aimed to develop a better understanding and working relationship between the Royal Australian Navy and the RSN in the conduct of maritime exercises, while providing the opportunity to enhance professional interaction between personnel from the two navies.
Commanding officer Stuart, Commander Chris Leece, said the exercise enhanced the professional and personal ties formed during the recent exercise Kakadu 18, in which both countries participated.
“Exercise SINGAROO builds on the already strong ties between Australia and Singapore,” CMDR Leece said.
“The training serials tested our warfare skills, enhanced our interoperability with the Singapore Navy and gave us an opportunity to build personal relationships.”
Stuart Principle Warfare Officer, LEUT James Knight, was excited to participate in the warfare serials.
“The serials, consisting of a live fire surface engagement and a simulated over-the-horizon engagement, were well coordinated and executed,” LEUT Knight said.
“For the over-the-horizon engagement, Stuart and Vigour were placed against Sirius and Valiant. Stuart’s MH-60R was deployed with one of Vigour’s unmanned aerial vehicles, a first for both countries utilizing both manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft, proving interoperability between the two countries.”
A personnel transfer was conducted on both days of the exercise, allowing ships company of both navies to experience life on board each other’s vessels.
Stuart and Sirius will now proceed to exercise BERSAMA LIMA as part of the Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA). The FPDA is a multilateral organization that fosters interoperability amongst Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.