Professional Exchanges with our Friends from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

On 21 Apr 2023, ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy completed a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the lower reaches of the South China Sea in international waters.

During the PASSEX, the RSN's Mine Countermeasure Vessel, RSS Bedok, the JMSDF's Mine Countermeasure Vessel, JS Uraga and Minesweeper, JS Awaji participated in a series of manoeuvring and communication drills.

Officers from RSS Bedok, JS Uraga and JS Awaji came together onboard JS Uraga to plan and coordinate the serials to be conducted during the PASSEX.

The officer-of-the-watch on RSS Bedok getting the ship into station as part of the manoeuvring exercise with the ships from JMSDF. 

RSS Bedok's Communications Systems Operator promulgating and interpreting all signals sent by their Japanese counterpart during a communication serial.

Prior to the PASSEX, JS Uraga and JS Awaji made a port call to RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base (CNB), where personnel from both navies had the opportunity to interact in person during ship visits.

The crew of JS Uraga (in white) hosted crew from RSS Bedok as part of the Cross Deck Visit, and introduced their mine-countermeasure capabilities.

Both the RSN and JMSDF interact regularly through visits and port calls, such as the one earlier this year in March when the Akizuki-class Destroyer JS Suzutsuki called into port at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base. JS Suzutsuki's crew also went on board Formidable-class Frigate RSS Intrepid for a ship visit.

These regular interactions underscore the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and Japan.

Photos courtesy of JMSDF, 2LT Jonathan Andrew from RSS Intrepid, CPT Raiant Sim and CPT Jaden Ng from RSS Bedok.