Australia and Singapore have kicked off their signature joint amphibious exercise Trident in Queensland, Australia.
Exercise Trident runs from September 23 to October 3 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and involves more than 1,600 personnel from the armed forces of Australia and Singapore.
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock (LHD) HMAS Adelaide will join Republic of Singapore Navy vessels RSS Persistence and RSS Endurance to project a landing force ashore for the exercise.
HMAS Adelaide, the first LHD to participate in the exercise, recently deployed from its homeport of Sydney and will return home in December.
Singapore has conducted military training in Australia for more than 30 years, supporting both of armed forces, and providing economic opportunities for Australia.
According to the Australian defense ministry, these exercises help support the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Singapore, who are jointly developing key training areas in Queensland under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative.
The two countries are continuing joint maneuvers after the Australian-hosted multinational exercise Kakadu, during which Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast took on the role of surface warfare commander in a search and destroy mission. The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s F-15SG and F-16D+ fighter jets and an A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft also took part in the exercise.
“Australia is proud to count Singapore as one of its closest partners. Our defense relationship is characterized by trust and friendship, underpinned by our shared commitment to the region,” Australian defense minister Richard Marles said.
“Exercise Trident enables us to deepen our military-to-military ties and shows how closely we can work together when it counts.”
