Singapore Navy’s RSS Steadfast commands task unit at RIMPAC Exercise
Infographic: MINDEF
SINGAPORE — The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Steadfast is one of two task unit commanders at Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and responsible for three warships from Japan, South Korea and the United States.
RSS Steadfast comes under Task Force (TF) 170, which oversees four Task Groups.
RSS Steadfast is one of the two task unit commanders under Task Group 170.1, from July 1 to Aug 5.
The 3 warships are: JS Chokai (Japan), ROKS Kang Gam chan (South Korea) and USS William P. Lawrence (United States).
This is its third consecutive time in the exercise as a task unit commander.
In a first for the RSN, the RSS Steadfast will also take on a new role as TF 170s Anti-Surface Warfare Commander, leading in the planning and execution of surface warfare serials for 10 other ships, as well as helicopters and maritime surveillance aircraft in TF 170.
For the first time as well, a team of four RSN personnel have assumed key positions in the exercise’s multinational shore command team to plan and monitor the exercise.
The RSS Steadfast will join participating assets from 25 other countries, including 45 ships, five submarines, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
Held off the waters of Hawaii, this year’s exercise involves forces from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Tonga, United Kingdom and the United States.
The RSN has participated in Exercise RIMPAC since 2008.
