Singapore and United States Hone Capabilities in Joint Maritime Exercise

The Republic of Singapore Navy Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong and the United States Navy Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific RADM Charles Williams at the opening ceremony of Exercise CARAT 2015 this morning at Changi Naval Base.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong and the United States Navy (USN) Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific RADM Charles Williams officiated at the opening ceremony of the 21st Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise at Changi Naval Base this morning. Exercise CARAT Singapore 2015 will be conducted from 13 to 24 July 2015.

In his opening address, RADM Lew underscored the importance of strengthening interoperability and bilateral relations between the two navies. He said, "Over the years, Exercise CARAT has provided both navies with invaluable training and enhanced interoperability. I believe that it is this close friendship and deep mutual understanding that form the basis of trust." RADM Williams added that the exercise provides both navies with a complex and dynamic training environment and continues to enhance the capabilities of both navies. He added, "This marks the 21st year that our armed forces have come together for Exercise CARAT - and our enhanced military partnership today reflects the maturity of this relationship."

Since the inaugural edition of the exercise in 1995, Exercise CARAT has increased in complexity. Apart from a combined torpedo firing exercise, both navies will employ their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems for conventional maritime warfare operations as part of Ex CARAT for the first time. The RSN will deploy its ScanEagle UAV from the decks of the Victory-class missile corvettes RSS Vigour and RSS Valour, while the USN's FireScout UAV will be launched from the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth.

Exercise CARAT Singapore 2015 focuses on honing conventional maritime warfare capabilities such as anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, as well as maritime air and base defence operations. A total of 1,400 personnel from both countries are involved in this year's exercise. The exercise will involve five ships, a submarine, a naval helicopter, a maritime patrol aircraft and fighter aircraft from the RSN and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, while the USN and United States Marine Corps are participating with three ships, a submarine, three naval helicopters and a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

RADM Lew speaking at the opening ceremony of Exercise CARAT 2015 this morning.