Japan, Singapore conclude inaugural edition of Exercise ‘Singapan'

A JMSDF SH-60K helicopter landing on the flight deck of RSS Steadfast during Exercise ‘Singapan'. (Singapore MINDEF)

Recently concluded naval drills between Singapore and Japan marked the inaugural Exercise ‘Singapan', Janes can confirm.

The exercise represents a new milestone in bilateral naval relations and operational co-operation between the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on 29 August that the exercise took place from 26 to 28 August in waters off Japan. During the activity, the RSN's Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast operated alongside the JMSDF's Asagiri-class destroyer JS Hamagiri and Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki .

According to MINDEF, the exercise featured sea-rider exchanges, communication drills, manoeuvring serials, and live gunnery activities.

Personnel from both navies also conducted exercise planning events and ship visits ashore, reflecting an emphasis on both tactical interoperability and professional engagement.

One notable event during the exercise was a helicopter cross-deck operation involving a JMSDF helicopter on board Steadfast . Photographs released by MINDEF indicate that the aircraft involved was a JMSDF SH-60K maritime helicopter.

While neither Singapore nor Japan has publicly identified this as the first-ever SH-60K landing on a Formidable-class frigate, imagery suggests it may be among the first publicly documented embarkations of the type on an RSN warship.

Exercise ‘Singapan' followed Steadfast ‘s participation in Navy@Tokyo, a public-outreach and defence-engagement activity hosted in the Japanese capital from 21 to 22 August.

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