BOOSTING COOPERATION AGAINST MARITIME THREATS

As the threats that affect security today transcend national borders, armed forces need to work together to be effective in fighting transnational hazards and maritime terrorism.

Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Tan Kai Hoe from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) said this at the launch of the two-week Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise on 17 Jul at Changi Naval Base.

Some 1,500 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces, the United States Navy (USN) and the United States Coast Guard will take part in a range of events that are aimed at boosting Singapore-US interoperability and teamwork.

This year's exercise, the 13th edition in the annual series, marks the participation of the RSS Formidable, the RSN's first Formidable-class stealth frigate.

It will function as the main command-and-control platform for the two forces during the sea phase of the exercise in various challenging scenarios.

The RSS Formidable will also host an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from the USN, which will carry out anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions as part of the exercise.

"This is yet another testimony of the high level of interoperability, and we are grateful for the opportunity to gain some early hands-on experience in naval helicopter operations at sea," said RADM Tan.

In addition, 13 ships, a submarine as well as fixed and rotary wing aircraft will be deployed for the exercise.

Exercise participants will also be involved in a joint community project at the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore on 19 Jul.

"It is through sustained naval engagement with our regional partners that we begin to affect the maritime domain," said Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific RADM William Burke from the USN, who officiated at the opening.

"CARAT Singapore has become the model maritime exercise for both our navies."