The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) together with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) have concluded the bilateral maritime warfare training exercise Singaroo 2022.
The latest iteration of Singaroo was conducted between 26 and 29 September in the northern waters of Australia.
According to Australian Fleet commander rear admiral Jonathan Earley, Singaroo is a long-standing exercise that showcases interoperability of the armed forces of both the countries.
Earley said: “Exercise Singaroo has been an important part of RAN’s exercise schedule for last 27 years.
“During this time, we have deepened our friendship and a strong professional working relationship with = RSN so we can undertake effective combined and coalition maritime operations in support of our shared commitment to the region.”
Singaroo 2022 involved participation of the RSN’s Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast and the RAN’s Hobart-class air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart.
Apart from the naval vessels, the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) personnel and aircraft, including F-15SG and F-16 fighter aircraft, took part in Singaroo 2022.
The aircraft operated from RAAF Base Darwin.
As per a media release by the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), other assets to participate in the exercise included the RSN’s Victory-class missile corvette RSS Valour and a Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk helicopter, aboard RSS Steadfast.
During the exercise, the participating assets conducted a series of air defence exercises, manoeuvring and naval warfare drills.
It also included the test-firing of Australia’s Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) from HMAS Hobart.
The integrated sea-air training also allowed the RSN and RSAF to strengthen interoperability.
RSN chief of staff-naval staff rear admiral Edwin Leong said: “We have exercised together for many years and achieved many significant goals together through our close cooperation and partnership.”
