Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Stuart, joined the Republic of Singapore frigate, RSS Tenacious, in waters off Singapore for a four-day maritime exercise in the first week of October.
Exercise SINGAROO has been an opportunity for joint training for the past 19 years.
Commanding Officer of Stuart, Commander Aaron Nye, said the navies conducted a range of maritime security serials and conventional warfare drills against aerial, surface and underwater threats during the exercise.
“We regularly train and operate with the Singaporean Armed Forces and recently worked with members of the Republic of Singapore Navy who fulfilled key planning roles in Exercise KAKADU off northern Australia,” Commander Nye said.
“At SINGAROO we have conducted a number of activities including anti-submarine warfare, air-defence serials and an air to air towed-target shoot.”
Australia and Singapore are both members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and regularly exercise together. The FPDA is the longest standing multilateral arrangement in South East Asia and is in its 43rd year.
[mappress] Press Release, October 13, 2014; Image: Australian Navy