Singapore Naval Ships in Andaman Sea for SIMBEX'08

Port Blair, Mar 19 (UNI) Four Naval ships from the Republic of Singapore have arrived in Port Blair as part of the joint Indo- Singapore exercise SIMBEX-08.

The ships included RSN Formidable, a La Fayette stealth Frigate acquired from France, RSN Presistence, RSN Valour and RSN Vigilant and are joined by one Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The Ships were given the traditional welcome on arrival at Naval Warf of Andaman, Lt Mannu Virk the Public Relations Officer of Andaman and Nicobar Command told UNI today.

According to Andaman and Nicobar Command sources the visiting Ships will undertake various Naval exercises with frontline Indian Naval Ships - Rajput, Gomati, Kirch, Vibhuti including two ships of ANC INS Batti Malv and Trinkat.

The exercises include advance level Maritime exercise, including weapon firings, which symbolizes higher level of mutual trust and cooperation between the Navies of both the countries.

After arrival, the Fleet Commander of Singapore Navy RAdm NG Chee Peng interacted with the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Air Marshal S Radhakrishnan here yesterday.

The visiting Fleet Commander also witnessed the Naval exercises from sea. For the actual exercise all the ships have already departed this morning from Port Blair, Lt Virk added.

UNI SKR PP KLC1455