RSS Tenacious Participates in Passage Exercise with French Navy

RSS Tenacious (front) sailing in formation with FNS Tonnerre (middle) and FNS Guepratte (back).

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Formidable-class Frigate RSS Tenacious conducted a passage exercise with the French Navy's (FN)  Mistral-class amphibious assault ship FNS Tonnerre and La Fayette-class frigate FNS Guepratte in the Andaman Sea and North Malacca Strait from 21 to 22 April 2016. The exercise saw the navy ships participating in surface gun firings and manoeuvring exercises. Personnel exchanges between the two navies also took place during the conduct of the exercise.

Commanding Officer of RSS Tenacious, Senior-Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Kwan Hon Chuong shared that the interactions between the RSN and the FN had been mutually beneficial. He said, "The exercise was an excellent opportunity for us to learn from one another and to share invaluable experience. We were also able to enhance our interoperability and deepen the friendship that both navies have forged over the years."

The passage exercise between both navies underscores the strong and broad based defence relations between Singapore and France. Both countries also interact regularly through high-level visits and dialogues, professional exchanges, defence technology cooperation and cross-attendance of courses. The Republic of Singapore Air Force also has a training detachment in Cazaux, France.

Crew from the Republic of Singapore Navy and French Navy interacting with each other as part of the passage exercise.