S'PORE, THAI NAVIES TAKE PART IN BILATERAL EXERCISE

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are participating in a bilateral naval exercise, codenamed Singsiam from 20 to 29 Sep. The Commanding Officer of the RSN's 185 Squadron, Colonel (COL) Giam Hock Koon, and the Chief of Staff of the RTN's Frigate Squadron 2, Captain (CAPT) Kosit Cheamsuphakit, officiated at the opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base on 20 Sep.

Hosted by the RSN, this year's exercise is the 16th in the series, and comprises a shore phase at Changi Naval Base and a sea phase in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Assets involved in the exercise include the RSN's frigate RSS Steadfast, missile corvette RSS Valour and patrol vessel RSS Resilience, as well as the RTN's frigate HTMS Taksin and three S-70B naval helicopters. For the first time, an RTN helicopter carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet, also took part in the exercise.

Taking place once in two years, the exercise has evolved from conventional naval warfare exercises to one that incorporates maritime security scenarios. Besides reinforcing interoperability and mutual understanding between both navies, Exercise Singsiam also underscores the warm and long-standing defence ties between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.