Singapore naval ship RSS Formidable in Vizag for 'SIMBEX-16'

Multi-role stealth frigate of Singapore Navy, RSS Formidable arrived here on a five-day visit to the eastern naval command (ENC) as a part of the ongoing bilateral exercise between Navies of Republic of Singapore and India, 'SIMBEX-16'.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Khoo Aik Leong Albert, RSS Formidable is the first of the six multi-role stealth frigates which forms part of the 185 squadron based at Changi.

A senior Singapore Navy delegation headed by Colonel Aaron Beng, Commanding Officer, 185 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), is also visiting ENC during the period, an official statement stated.

The visit will encompass interaction between personnel of both the Navies in various professional, cultural, social and sports events.
 

Colonel Aaron Beng, Commanding Officer, 185 Squadron, RSN and Lieutenant Colonel Khoo Aik Leong Albert, Commanding Officer RSS Formidable will call on Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC, and Rear Admiral B Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.

SIMBEX is an acronym for 'Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises'.

This year's edition of SIMBEX-16 being held in the Bay of Bengal region would be the 23rd in the series and is aimed to increase inter-operability amongst the RSN and Indian Navy as well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations, it stated.

As per the release, the thrust of exercises at sea, this year would be on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), integrated operations with surface, air and dub-surface forces, air defence and surface encounter exercises.

During SIMBEX-16, the Singapore Navy is represented by RSS Formidable and maritime patrol aircraft Fokker 50 operating from Port Blair.

Indian Navy will be represented by INS Ranvijay, a guided missile destroyer, INS Kamorta, an indigenous ASW stealth corvette, one Sindhugosh class submarine, in addition to long range maritime patrol aircraft P8I, maritime patrol aircraft Dornier, advanced jet trainer Hawk and integral rotary wing helicopters are also scheduled to participate in the exercise.