Personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force take part in Exercise Singapan from August 27 to August 28. (Facebook/Republic of Singapore Navy)
On August 28, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) concluded Exercise Singapan, a bilateral naval exercise aimed at strengthening operational cooperation and supporting efforts towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
The exercise’s opening ceremony was held at Yokosuka Naval Base on August 27, co-officiated by Singaporean Commander First Flotilla Colonel Carlin Song and Japanese Commander Surface Warfare Squadron Nine Captain Iwade Yohei.
Singaporean Commander First Flotilla Colonel Song said the two navies had maintained a close relationship through professional exchanges, exercises and ship visits, adding that the exercise reflected their commitment to deepening cooperation. The exercise was conducted in waters South of the Kanto region, involving Singapore’s Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast and Japan’s Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki and Asagiri-class destroyer JS Hamagiri,.
The joint training featured several tactical activities, including surface gunnery, tactical manoeuvring, communications exercises (COMMEX), cross-deck operations and photo exercises (PHOTOEX). The JMSDF said the activities were intended both to improve its tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the RSN.
Official personnel from both navies also took part in sea-rider exchanges, exercise planning and ship visits, providing opportunities to exchange operational knowledge and strengthen professional links.
A JMSDF helicopter conducted a cross-deck operation on RSS Steadfast, while RSN personnel introduced the frigate’s medical facilities to Japanese personnel as part of a sea-rider exchange. The exercise concluded with a sailpast at sea involving RSN personnel.
The exercise follows a port call by RSS Steadfast at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal from August 21 to 22 to commemorate 60 years of Singapore-Japan relations. The visit also followed Singapore’s appointment of its first defence attaché to Japan in July and the frigate’s participation in RIMPAC 2026, where it conducted multinational naval operations.
Exercise Singapan strengthens Singapore-Japan defence ties while supporting their respective roles in ASEAN and the wider regional security architecture. For Singapore, maintaining operational links with Japan can complement its efforts to promote practical maritime cooperation and regional stability within ASEAN.
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