Singapore Navy Leads Multinational Group Sail with Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, and United States Navies

Republic of Singapore Navy's Formidable-class frigate RSS Stalwart (first ship from right) leading the Multinational Group Sail (MNGS) with warships from the Royal Brunei Navy, Indonesian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy and Republic of Korea Navy. Photo courtesy: Republic of Korea Navy

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Formidable-class frigate RSS Stalwart successfully led a Multinational Group Sail (MNGS) from Guam to Hawaii for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. Held from 14 to 25 June 2024 (Singapore time) in the Pacific Ocean, this MNGS included eight other warships from Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, and the United States.

RSS Stalwart exercised alongside two Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessels KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman, an Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Martadinata-class frigate KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ōsumi-class amphibious landing ship JS Kunisaki, a Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin, a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Lekiu-class frigate KD Lekiu, and a Royal Netherlands Navy (KM) De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp, and a United States Navy (USN) replenishment oiler, USNS Pecos.

The ships conducted a series of drills while transiting from Guam to Hawaii, including manoeuvring and communication exercises, gunnery firings, underway replenishments, anti-submarine warfare training, air medical evacuation and air defence simulations.

Hosted by the USN, the biennial Exercise RIMPAC will be conducted in the waters off Hawaii from 28 Jun 2024 to 2 Aug 2024 (Singapore time). This will be the RSN's ninth participation in the world's largest international maritime exercise. The multilateral Exercise RIMPAC and the MNGS are important avenues for the RSN to hone its competencies, strengthen interoperability, and deepen professional relationships with other navies.

RSS Stalwart sailing in formation with warships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and Royal Netherlands Navy. Photo courtesy: Royal Netherlands Navy

RSS Stalwart taking charge of the warships in preparation for the Sailpast.

Sailors from RSS Stalwart waving to Republic of Korea Navy's (ROKN) Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin.