Singapore Navy frigate arrives in China’s Zhanjiang for bilateral exercise

A Singapore Navy frigate arrived in Zhanjiang on Thursday ahead of the bilateral Exercise Maritime Cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army (Navy), marking what the city state said was part of its efforts to build “mutual understanding and cooperation” with foreign partners.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the Formidable-class frigate RSS Stalwart, which berthed at Ma Xie Naval Base, would be used in the exercise from September 1 to 5.

This year’s Exercise Maritime Cooperation, the third in the series since it started in 2015, will comprise a shore phase at Ma Xie Naval Base from September 1 to 2 where personnel from both navies will plan exercises and have professional exchanges.

During a sea phase in waters off Zhanjiang from September 3 to 5, both navies will conduct a range of drills, including helicopter cross-deck landing, gunnery firing, search and rescue and manoeuvring exercises, as well as familiarisation of voice procedures for simulated firings, according to the ministry.

RSS Stalwart will also observe the PLA Navy ships, such as when they conduct vessel boarding and mine clearance drills.

Singapore’s defence ministry noted that the frigate was on the final leg of a three-month deployment which included multinational group sails from Singapore to Hawaii, Exercise Rim of the Pacific, a passage exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and Exercise Maritime Cooperation.

“RSN’s participation in these exercises is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with a wide network of international partners,” it said in the statement.

Singapore has maintained strong defence ties with China while keeping strategic relations with the United States,