RSN frigate is first non-US Navy ship to lead multinational group sail

SINGAPORE — A Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) frigate has become the first non-US Navy (USN) ship to lead a Multinational Group Sail to participate in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (June 28).

The RSN’s Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast has been leading two other warships — from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the USN — in a sail from Okinawa in Japan to Hawaii to participate in Exercise RIMPAC since June 18. The sail is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

The USN is leading three other multinational groups that are sailing from San Diego and the western Pacific Ocean.

The RSN conducted naval warfare serials with the two other naval ships en route, in preparation for the high-intensity sea phase during Exercise RIMPAC. RSS Steadfast, with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, led the conduct of helicopter operations, surface warfare drills, gunnery firings as well as manoeuvring and communications serials, said the statement.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ooi Tjin Kai, the Commanding Officer of RSS Steadfast, said that the Multinational Group Sail presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen inter-navy partnerships. “The exercises at sea help to build confidence in operating with one another,” said LTC Ooi. “As commander of a Multinational Group Sail, the RSN plays an important role in catalysing cooperation between the participating navies and we are glad to be able to value-add to the interactions.”

The biennial Exercise RIMPAC is hosted by the USN and will be conducted in the waters off Hawaii from July 1 to Aug 5. This is the fifth time that the RSN will be participating in the exercise.

According to the statement, Exercise RIMPAC, as well as the Multinational Group Sail component, serve as important avenues for the RSN to sharpen its combat proficiencies and deepen professional ties and interoperability with the other participating navies.