Republic of Singapore Navy Conducts Passage Exercise with Royal Australian Navy

On 26 April 2021, our Formidable-class frigate RSS Stalwart conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)'s frigate HMAS Anzac within international waters in the southern reaches of the South China Sea. The exercise was also supported by a Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Our weapons systems operator with his eyes on the target during the gunnery firing.

Getting into bearing as RSS Stalwart gets into station during the manoeuvring exercise.

Our flight deck marshaller sending the signal for HMAS Anzac's MH-60R helicopter to land on RSS Stalwart.

The exercise comprised a series of manoeuvring and communication exercises, and gunnery firings by the two frigates. RSS Stalwart also conducted cross-deck evolutions with HMAS Anzac's MH-60R helicopter, before the exercise wrapped with a sailpast of the participating ships.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) conducts regular PASSEXes with foreign navies to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendship with other navies. These professional interactions at sea has enabled the RSN to keep our ties warm with our navy counterparts, especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

A final salute as the ships conducted a sailpast at the end of the passage exercise.

Photos courtesy of LTA Tim Poh (RSS Stalwart), ME1 Nicholas Tan (RSS Stalwart) and CPT Shanon Wee (121 Squadron).