The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid has successfully conducted live-firing of an Aster surface-to-air missile during the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014.
As part of the US Navy-hosted, 22-day exercise conducted off the Hawaiian coast, RSS Intrepid, together with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, joins assets from 21 other nations, including 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
RSN fleet commander Rear Admiral Timothy Lo said: "During Exercise RIMPAC, RSN successfully fired an Aster surface-to-air missile and is also leading a task unit comprising ships from the Chilean, Norwegian and US navies.
"This exercise provides the RSN with a good opportunity to train with other established navies in complex maritime operations in a high-intensity scenario."
The latest move marks RSN’s fourth-time participation in the RIMPAC exercise, leading the multinational task unit for the second time during the exercise.
Running through to 1 August, the 24th biennial event involves training on a wide range of capabilities while demonstrating the intrinsic flexibility of maritime forces, ranging from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complicated combating.
Participating navies include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Tonga, the UK and the US.
Image: RSS Intrepid firing an Aster surface-to-air missile during RIMPAC 2014. Photo: courtesy of the Singapore Government.
