LARGEST GATHERING OF INT'L NAVIES IN SINGAPORE WATERS

The first Singapore International Maritime Review (IMR) brought together 44 nations and was a testament to the strong friendships and extensive network the Republic enjoys, said President Tony Tan on 15 May.

The Singapore IMR was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at the newly-renamed RSS Singapura -- Changi Naval Base as part of the Navy's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Noting the RSN's critical role in Singapore's security and success, Dr Tan highlighted that no single country can manage transnational threats on its own.

"To ensure a stable maritime order as well as safe and secure seas, multilateral cooperation is key. The RSN has built up a strong and well-connected network of partnerships with like-minded navies," he said.

On the renaming, which gave the base the name of the Navy's first headquarters, Dr Tan said: "(This) will serve as a reminder to our sailors of the RSN's heritage and the RSN's vital role in defending Singapore."

Dr Tan was addressing more than 6,000 guests and participants, including more than 30 navy chiefs, vice-chiefs of navy, directors-general of coast guards, and more than 40 flag rank officers.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han were also present at the event.

As the Reviewing Officer, Dr Tan reviewed 46 ships -- including 28 foreign warships from 20 navies -- the largest showing of international navy ships in Singapore waters yet.

He first reviewed the vessels berthed at the base's wharf. These included 12 RSN vessels as well as helicopter carrier JS Izumo of Japan, guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri of India and littoral combat ship USS Coronado of the United States.

The land review was followed by the sea review segment, which Dr Tan carried out while on board the RSS Independence. The littoral mission vessel was newly-commissioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 5 May.

During the sea review, Dr Tan was greeted by the 26 navy ships anchored at sea, some of them sounding their horns as a form of salute.

The vessels at sea included China's frigate Huangshan, Malaysia's corvette KD Lekir and Australia's frigate HMAS Ballarat.

To cap off the celebrations, the Republic of Singapore Air Force conducted a flypast with a S-70B Sikorsky naval helicopter, a Fokker F-50 maritime patrol aircraft and two F-15SG fighter aircrafts.

In anticipation of the challenge of coordinating the movement of the vast number of participating warships, the IMR Organising Committee had begun planning early -- back in July 2016, said Head Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Ow.

"We have carefully and meticulously planned for all these movement by the second, so that everything is de-conflicted," said LTC Ow.

LTC Ow also echoed Dr Tan's sentiments that as a maritime nation, Singapore must continue to work closely with other navies.

He said: "The RSN will continue to work with all our partners and friends from all over the world to ensure the security of our seas."