Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) continues to cooperate with friends at sea to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendships.
Yesterday, our Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid and Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Sovereignty conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the People's Liberation Army Navy [PLA(N)]'s destroyer Guiyang and frigate Zaozhuang in the southern reaches of the South China Sea within international waters.
Planned virtually, the ships conducted a series of drills employing the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. In addition to the manoeuvring and communications exercises, the two navies also worked together to respond to a simulated joint search and rescue mission. The exercise concluded with a sailpast at sea.
We wish our PLA(N) friends fair winds and following seas – and we hope to exercise together again in the future!