Singapore and Australian Navies in Bilateral Maritime Exercise

Colonel Soh Cheow Guan and Commodore Philip Spedding exchanging gifts during the opening ceremony of Exercise Singaroo 2010.

05 September 2010 -- The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are conducting a bilateral maritime exercise, codenamed Singaroo, from 5 to 10 Sep 2010. The Commanding Officer of the RSN's 188 Squadron, Colonel Soh Cheow Guan, and the Director-General Maritime Operations of the RAN, Commodore Philip Spedding, officiated at the opening ceremony held at Coonawarra Naval Base in Darwin, Australia, this morning.

Hosted by the RAN, this year's exercise will be held off the coast of Darwin where both navies will be conducting a series of naval manoeuvres, such as maritime surveillance, combined anti-submarine and air defence exercises, as well as live firings against towed-targets. The RSN is participating with frigate RSS Tenacious, missile corvette RSS Vigour and a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Joining them from the RAN are frigates HMAS Arunta and HMAS Toowoomba, submarine HMAS Dechaineux and several aircraft.

In its 14th year, Exercise Singaroo highlights the close and long-standing defence ties shared by both countries. The exercise provides an opportunity for the two navies to enhance interoperability and strengthen professional and personal ties.

Mindef