According to information published by the British Ministry of Defense on July 27, 2021, ships from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, performed a naval exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) on July 26, 2021.
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HMS Queen Elizabeth, HNLMS Evertsen, USS The Sullivans, and HMS Kent. (Picture source British MoD)
The exercise, to advance interoperability and coordination between the two navies, builds on the deep and long-standing defense partnership between the UK and Singapore. It was also the first time that ships from the British Royal Navy’s 5th generation Carrier Strike Group exercised alongside the RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy).
Eight ships were involved in this exercise, including the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, HMS Kent Type 23 anti-submarine frigate, HNLMS Evertsen De Zeven Provicien-class frigate fromù the Royal Netherlands Navy, USS The Sullivans Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer from the U.S. Navy, RFA Tidespring Fast Fleet Tanker from the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, RSS Intrepid Formidable-class frigate, RSS Unity Independence-class littoral mission vessel and RSS Resolution Endurance-class landing ship tank from the Republic of Singapore Navy.
The British Navy 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 2021) for a quick and contactless replenishment pit-stop in Singapore. She will now sustain the group as it proceeds further east.
The UK Strike 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 British Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier is accompanied on operation by a Strike Group consisting of ships, submarines and aircraft and other ships from international partners which offer a network of defensive and offensive military capabilities. The Strike Group can move, act and fight as an integrated and cohesive force, even when spread out across thousands of miles, but individual ships are able to detach from the main group to conduct independent or concurrent tasks as required.
