The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has successfully test-fired the Barak anti-missile in the South China Sea as part of the ongoing 18th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the US Navy.
During the drill, RSN’s upgraded missile corvette RSS Victory had fired the Barak missile, which successfully destroyed the air drone target that was simulating an attack profile.
RSS Victory commanding officer lieutenant colonel Eric Tan Wei Hong said: "The CARAT exercise allows personnel from both navies to work and interact closely with each other and this has also deepened our friendship and mutual understanding.
Weapon Systems (Control) supervisor military expert Jeyabal Sundaraju added: "Our training and preparation ensured that we were ready and we are glad that we have hit the target and achieved mission success."
The exercise involves assets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the US Air Force (USAF), the US Coast Guard (USCG) and the US Marine Corps (USMC), as well as the US Navy.
More than 1,400 personnel from both nations, including seven ships, a submarine, a naval helicopter and seven aircraft from RSN and the RSAF, took part in the drill alongside ships, a submarine, three naval helicopters and six aircraft from US Navy, USCG and USAF.
CARTA 2012 is aimed at enhancing conventional maritime capabilities, such as anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, as well as maritime air operations for the participating navies.
The exercise started on 17 July and is scheduled to conclude on 27 July.
Image: Republic of Singapore Navy’s missile corvette, RSS Victory test fires Barak anti-missile missile in the South China Sea. Photo: courtesy of the Government of Singapore.
