The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Formidable, with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, is participating in the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) maritime exercise from 27 Jun to 7 Aug 2012. Hosted by the United States Navy, Exercise RIMPAC 2012 comprises a shore planning phase as well as a 24-day sea phase conducted off the coast of Hawaii. RSS Formidable is participating in this year's exercise alongside assets from 21 other countries, including 40 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
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| Formidable live-firing Harpoon |
In this year's exercise, RSS Formidable is commanding a task unit, comprising four other warships from Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States, to conduct maritime operations such as combined anti-submarine and air defence missions. In addition, RSS Formidable successfully carried out the simultaneous live-firing of two Harpoon Surface-to-Surface missiles on 14 Jul 2012 (US time). Commenting on the RSN's participation in the exercise, Commanding Officer RSS Formidable Lieutenant Colonel Ong Chee Wei said, "Exercise RIMPAC is a good opportunity for the RSN to train with other established navies to perform complex maritime operations in a high intensity environment. This year, the RSN is commanding a multinational task unit and this has allowed the RSN to enhance our engagements with other navies, strengthen professional understanding and interoperability with them."
This is the third time the RSN is involved in this biennial exercise, following its inaugural participation in 2008. This year's Exercise RIMPAC also involves maritime forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.