Singapore ship successfully fires surface-to-air missile in joint exercise

RSN officers discussing the planned serials of Sea Phase with officers from the other Combined Task Unit ships on board RSS Intrepid. -- PHOTO: MINDEF
RSN officers discussing the planned serials of Sea Phase with officers from the other Combined Task Unit ships on board RSS Intrepid. -- PHOTO: MINDEF
Rear-Admiral Timothy Lo (first from left) witnessing the live-firing of the Aster Missile with the rest of the crew in the Combat Information Centre on board the RSS Intrepid. -- PHOTO: MINDEF
RSS Intrepid firing an Aster Surface-to-Air Missile off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise RIMPAC 2014. -- PHOTO: MINDEF

Singapore Navy's (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid, successfully carried out a live-firing of an Aster Surface-to-Air Missile on 12 July as part of the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) maritime exercise.

Hosted by the United States Navy, the exercise comprises a shore planning phase and a 22-day sea phase off the coast of Hawaii.

The RSS Intrepid with an S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, is participating in this year's exercise alongside assets from 21 other countries, including 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25 000 personnel.

The RSS Intrepid is commanding a task unit with four other warships from Chile, Norway and the United States.

Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral Timothy Lo said: "This exercise provides the RSN with a good opportunity to train with other established navies in complex maritime operations in a high intensity scenario."

This is the fourth time the RSN is participating in this exercise and the second time it is commanding a multinational task unit during the exercise.

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