Singapore and Malaysian Navies Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise

RSN Fleet Commander, Colonel Timothy Lo (left) and RMN Fleet Operations Commander, Vice Admiral Dato' Abd Hadi bin A. Rashid exchanging a handshake at the Opening Ceremony of Ex Malapura.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) are conducting Exercise Malapura, a bilateral maritime exercise, from 25 February to 8 March 2013. Hosted by Malaysia, this year's exercise is the 23rd in the series held since 1984. RSN Fleet Commander, Colonel Timothy Lo and RMN Fleet Operations Commander, Vice Admiral Dato' Abd Hadi bin A. Rashid officiated at the opening ceremony held in Changi Naval Base (CNB) today.

About 540 personnel from the RSN and RMN are involved in the 12-day exercise which will see both navies carry out joint planning and training at CNB, and conducting drills in conventional naval warfare and maritime security in the Malacca Strait. The RSN is taking part in the exercise with a frigate (RSS Supreme), a missile corvette (RSS Victory) and a patrol vessel (RSS Independence), while the RMN is participating with a frigate (KD Lekiu) and two patrol vessels (KD Selangor and KD Kelantan).

The RSN and RMN interact regularly across a wide range of activities. These include professional exchanges and courses, as well as multilateral activities as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. The two navies have also been working closely to enhance maritime security through the Malacca Strait Patrols arrangement. These regular interactions serve to strengthen mutual understanding and professional ties among the personnel of both navies.

RSN and RMN officers working together during Ex Malapura.