Singapore, U.S. forces kick off annual bilateral drill

• Source: Xinhua
• [15:00 June 09 2009]
• Comments

Singapore and the United States commenced the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise at the Changi Naval Base on Monday.

According to a statement by Singapore's Ministry of Defense, the exercise will be joined by the Singapore Armed Forces, the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard from June 8 to 19.

This year's exercise will focus on conventional maritime warfare competencies in the areas of anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, maritime air operations, and maritime security operations, the statement said.

For the first time, the exercise will see submarines from the two navies operating together in a submarine tracking exercise.

A total of 1,500 personnel, 11 ships, two submarines and 18 fixed and rotary wing aircraft from both countries are involved in this year's exercise. This series of annual bilateral maritime exercises have been conducted since 1995.