Strengthening Relationships

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) continues to foster bonds with like-minded friends at sea despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation. 

On 24 Jan 2022, our Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank RSS Endeavour met with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL)'s missile-corvette KRI Diponegoro to conduct a passage exercise (PASSEX) in the Java Sea. 

The exercise saw the ships conducting a series of communication and manoeuvring exercises to hone competencies.

Crew member of RSS Endeavour taking bearing from KRI Diponegoro as part of the manoeuvring exercise.

Personnel from RSS Endeavour listening to a radio message sent by their Indonesian counterpart during a communications drill.

Exchange of messages conducted through the use of signal flags.

Both navies have a long-standing relation built through professional exchanges, port calls and exercises like Exercise Eagle Indopura, as well as collaborative arrangements such as the multilateral Malacca Straits Patrol. International Liaison Officers from TNI AL are also deployed to Singapore's Information Fusion Centre to enhance maritime security efforts in the region through actionable information-sharing. 

These interactions strengthen bilateral relations and foster mutual understanding between the two navies. 

Until we meet again, here's wishing our TNI AL friends fair winds and following seas! 

(All sailing personnel had been isolated and tested negative for COVID-19 prior to the deployment.)

Photos courtesy of MID Julian Tay, ME1 Tan Wei Kang, ME1 Bruce Neo Kian Khong, ME1 Alvin Yeo Wei Hao.