The Strike Group, which set off on its maiden deployment in May this year and has successfully conducted operations and engagements in the Mediterranean, is now in the Indo-Pacific…reports Asian Lite News.
Ships from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth have conducted an exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The exercise, to advance interoperability and coordination between the two navies, was also the first time that ships from the Royal Navy’s 5th generation Carrier Strike Group exercised alongside the RSN.
Eight ships were involved in yesterday’s exercise: HMS Queen Elizabeth, aircraft carrier, HMS Kent, Type 23 anti-submarine frigate, HNLMS Evertsen, De Zeven Provicien-class frigate (Royal Netherlands Navy), USS The Sullivans, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (US Navy), RFA Tidespring, Fast Fleet Tanker, RSS Intrepid Formidable-class frigate (RSN), RSS Unity Independence-class littoral mission vessel (RSN), RSS Resolution Endurance-class landing ship tank (RSN).
The Strike Group, which set off on its maiden deployment in May this year and has successfully conducted operations and engagements in the Mediterranean, is now in the Indo-Pacific.
The purpose-built aircraft carrier replenishment ship, RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Tidespring broke away from the main group on Friday (23 July) for a quick and contactless replenishment pit-stop in Singapore. She will now sustain the group as it proceeds further east.
The Group will next undertake a series of multinational exercises with global allies in the Philippine Sea. Later in the year, the Carrier Strike Group will return to Singapore.
A ship from the Group will also take part in Exercise Bersama Gold – with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand – this will mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
“The Royal Navy has huge affection for Singapore based on our history together, but Singapore is also a beacon of enterprise in a region that is growing in strategic importance. The arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in Southeast Asia is a clear sign that the United Kingdom is ready to work with friends and partners, new and old, to strengthen the security and freedoms upon which we mutually depend,” Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, said in a statement.
“We are grateful to Singapore for supporting an important logistics stop for RFA Tidespring as the Carrier Strike Group continues our programme at sea. We look forward to working with Singapore again in the autumn for Exercise Bersama Gold, which marks the 50th Anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.”
British High Commissioner to Singapore Kara Owen said the Carrier Strike Group’s presence was another element of UK’s strategic approach to the Southeast Asia region, alongside its engagement with ASEAN and our activity in support of trade and economic development.
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