Australia and Singapore Participate in Joint Maritime Exercise Singaroo 11 Aug 2004 The Royal Australian Navy and Airforce will commence ‘Exercise Singaroo’, a joint exercise involving the navies and air forces of Australia and Singapore on Wednesday, 11 August 2004, off the coast of Darwin. The Royal Australian Navy ships participating are the ANZAC class frigate, HMAS ANZAC, and the guided missile frigates, HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS MELBOURNE, along with the Collins class submarine, HMAS DECHAINEUX. The Republic of Singapore Navy ships, RSS VIGILANCE and RSS VICTORY, two Victory Class Missile Corvettes, will join forces with RAN in a range of warfare exercises. Royal Australian Air Force P3C maritime patrol aircraft will provide anti-submarine and anti- surface warfare support, and Hawk aircraft will provide maritime strike and air combat support. An Australian Learjet electronic warfare training aircraft will also be involved. Exercise Singaroo is the eighth in the ‘Singaroo’ series of maritime warfare exercises 1 between the navy and air forces of Australia and Singapore, and provides the opportunity for the two forces to work together to improve combined maritime warfare procedures and tactics. Maritime Commander, Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt said, “Exercise Singaroo provides the opportunity for further development and ongoing interaction between the two Defence Forces. This exercise goes a long way to help develop defence ties and contribute to regional stability. It also continues to build and maintain rapport and friendship between the men and women of the two armed forces.” The exercise will finish on Friday, 20 August 2004, and a closing ceremony will be held which will be officiated by CAPT Peter Leschen (COMSURFTG) and Lieutenant Colonel Soh Cheow Guan (Commanding Officer RSS VIGILANCE). 2 .