Singapore and Thailand join naval exercise Singsiam.

According to information published by the Singapore MoD on March 28, 2022, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are conducting a bilateral naval exercise, Exercise Singsiam, from 21 to 30 March 2022.
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Singapore frigate RSS Formidable conducting gunnery firing against a surface target during the exercise. (Picture source: Singapore MoD)

Hosted by the RSN this year, the opening ceremony was co-officiated by Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Saw Shi Tat and Royal Thai Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral (ADM) Suvin Jangyodsuk at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base on 21 March 2022. RADM Saw and ADM Suvin also unveiled a commemorative logo to mark the 20th edition of the exercise, since its inception in 1981.

This year's exercise saw the participation of the RSN's Formidable-class frigate RSS Formidable with an embarked S-70B naval helicopter, Victory-class missile corvette RSS Valiant, and Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Fortitude; and the RTN's Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Naresuan, Chao Phraya-class frigate HTMS Saiburi and one S-76B naval helicopter.

As part of the sea phase, both navies conducted a series of maritime security and conventional warfare drills in the Malacca Strait and Andaman Sea. These included gunnery firings, maritime surveillance as well as communication and maneuvering serials. The exercise will conclude with a closing ceremony in Phuket on 30 Mar 2022.

The Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigates are the latest surface platforms to enter into service with the Republic of Singapore Navy, and are multi-mission derivatives of the French Navy's La Fayette-class frigate. The six ships form the First Flotilla of the RSN.

The frigates are equipped with Boeing Harpoon missiles and Oto Melara 76 mm guns for surface defence. The Harpoon missile has a range of 130 km (70 nmi) and uses active radar guidance. It is armed with a 227 kg (500 lb) warhead. There is space for as many as 24 Harpoon missiles at the center of the ship.