The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) successfully conducted the fourth edition of the annual bilateral Search-and-Rescue Exercise (SAREX) MALSING. Held from 28 September to 1 October at Kuantan Air Base (KAB), Malaysia, this year's edition saw the inaugural participation of the RSAF's H225M helicopter in an overseas exercise. This is also the first SAREX MALSING that both services' personnel could resume in-person interactions and exchanges since the onset of COVID-19.¹

The four-day exercise involved Search-and-Rescue (SAR) aircrew, ground crew and medical teams from both the RSAF and RMAF. The exercise participants planned and executed joint SAR operations off the north-western coast of Tioman, based on a simulated aerial mishap scenario. SAR teams from both air forces conducted aerial searches for survivors, and evacuated simulated casualties for immediate medical care. In addition, the RSAF and RMAF personnel discussed procedures for joint SAR operations. These activities enhanced cooperation between both air forces in areas of mutual interest, and fostered professional interaction between their personnel.

Chief of Staff – Air Staff of the RSAF, Brigadier-General (BG) Lau Boon Ping and Deputy Chief of the RMAF, Lieutenant General (LG) Dato' Indera Hj Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris co-officiated the opening ceremony of SAREX MALSING on 28 September. Speaking at the ceremony, BG Lau said, "In Search-and-Rescue operations, mere seconds could be the difference between life and death. Given Singapore and Malaysia's geographical proximity, there are opportunities for both air forces to coordinate their efforts to enhance the overall effectiveness of Search-and-Rescue operations."

This bilateral exercise underscores the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia. In addition to SAREX MALSING, the RSAF and RMAF also interact regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral visits and professional exchanges, as well as multilateral activities under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

¹ The third edition of SAREX MALSING in 2021 included a virtual table-top exercise and a field training exercise conducted without physical contact between personnel from both air forces.