Singapore, US Navies Conduct Torpedo Firing Exercise

The Singaporean Navy (RSN) and US Navy have successfully conducted Torpedo firing exercise as part of the Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise yesterday.

The RSN’s RSS Supreme, Formidable-class frigate and Singaporean Air Force’s Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter along with US Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopter took part in the combined torpedo exercise.

Both the navies employed UAVs to conduct maritime surveillance for the first time. RSN flew ScanEagle UAV from its Victory-class missile corvettes, RSS Vigour and RSS Valor while the US Navy deployed its Firescout UAV from Freedom-class USS Fort Worth littoral combat ship.

Colonel Seah Poh Yeen, the RSN's co-Commander Task Group for the exercise, said "CARAT Singapore has increased in scope and complexity over the years. The successful conduct of the combined torpedo firing and the UAV operations underscores the high level of interoperability and trust both navies have achieved.

US Navy’s CAPT Fred Kacher said, "Anti-submarine warfare is an increasingly important mission set, especially in this region of the world. The success of this year's torpedo firing exercise is an example of our navies' close coordination and commitment to build upon lessons learned from previous CARATs."

CARAT Singapore 2015 is ongoing and will conclude on 24 July 2015.