1-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy have embarked on their third bilateral exercise since 2015, underscoring the strengthening maritime cooperation between the two nations. The joint operation, dubbed Exercise Maritime Cooperation, commenced on 1 September and is slated to continue until 5 September, showcasing a range of naval capabilities and fostering mutual understanding between the two forces.
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) announced that the RSN’s state-of-the-art Formidable-class frigate, RSS Stalwart, will play a central role in the exercise. This advanced vessel serves as a testament to Singapore’s naval prowess and its commitment to regional maritime security.
The exercise’s opening ceremony, held at Ma Xie Naval Base in Zhanjiang, China, saw approximately 200 personnel from both navies in attendance, highlighting the scale and significance of this collaborative effort. Rear-Admiral Kwan Hon Chuong, the RSN fleet commander, emphasised the exercise’s importance in his address, stating, “This exercise has consistently provided invaluable opportunities for our navies to learn from each other, build mutual trust and understanding, and forge friendships.”
Throughout the five-day exercise, naval personnel will engage in a diverse array of maritime operations. These include gunnery firing, helicopter cross-deck landing, and familiarisation with voice procedures for simulated firings. In a unique aspect of the exercise, RSS Stalwart will also observe PLA Navy ships conducting various tasks such as vessel boarding and mine clearance, providing valuable insight into Chinese naval procedures and tactics.
This joint exercise is more than just a display of naval capabilities; it serves as a tangible demonstration of the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and China. Mindef underscored this point, noting that beyond exercises, the two armed forces regularly engage in high-level exchanges, mutual visits, and cross-attendance of courses.
