Republic of Singapore Navy Strengthens Relationships with International Navies at Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo

Chief of Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat (second from right) at the opening ceremony, signing an inscription commemorating RSN's participation in the fifth edition of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo.

Crew of RSS Fortitude saluting reviewing officer Mr Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono aboard TNI AL hospital ship, KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat during the International Fleet Review.

RADM Wat delivering his speech at the sixth International Maritime Security Symposium on “Naval Cooperation Through Education, Training, and Personnel Exchanges”.

RSS Valour (middle, foreground)  manoeuvring with HMAS Hobart (left) and USS Dewey (right).

Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)’s Victory-class Missile Corvette RSS Valour and Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Fortitude are participating in the fifth edition of the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK). Hosted by the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the biennial exercise is being conducted from 16 to 22 February 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, involving over 30 ships from more than 15 countries. 

As part of the exercise, RSN ships participated in an International Fleet Review (IFR) held on 16 February. The sailpast, as part of the IFR, was reviewed by the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mr Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, aboard the TNI AL hospital ship KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat, and other navy chiefs and senior officers were also on board to witness the sailpast. 

RADM Wat is also in Bali to attend the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with MNEK. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Addressing Maritime Security Challenges with Technology and Cooperation”. RADM Wat will speak at the panel on “Naval Cooperation Through Education, Training, and Personnel Exchange”. 

As part of the shore phase, the RSN will interact with participating navies through bilateral meetings, have professional exchanges on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and strengthen interoperability through a HADR Command Post Exercise. RSN personnel will also be marching through the streets in a city parade. For the sea phase on 22 February, RSN ships will participate in a maritime search and rescue exercise in the waters off Bali. 

The RSN has participated in MNEK since its first edition in 2014, and this underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia. As a multilateral exercise involving various countries, MNEK is an important platform to promote friendship, mutual understanding, and professional exchanges amongst the participating navies.