The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) conducted a live-firing of the Barak anti-missile missile in the South China Sea earlier today as part of the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise which the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting with the United States Navy (USN). The missile was fired by the upgraded RSN missile corvette (MCV) RSS Valiant against an air drone target simulating a missile attack on the ship. The target was successfully destroyed.
Commanding Officer RSS Valiant, Lieutenant Colonel Goh Kian Ngiap said that the exercise was valuable to both the RSN and USN. “The CARAT exercise is a great opportunity for both the RSN and USN to interact and exercise with each together. Many good ideas were exchanged, and the bonds of friendship strengthened,” said LTC Goh.
In addition, RSN personnel who took part in the exercise found value in working alongside their USN counterparts. Weapon Systems (Control) Operator Military Expert 1 William Kang, who fired the Barak missile said, “This was a wonderful learning experience for me in exercising with personnel from the USN. It was also excellent to see the entire crew’s teamwork in action and executing the successful missile hit.”
Present at the firing was Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Ng Chee Peng. Similar missile firings have been conducted in previous CARAT exercises. The exercise is presently ongoing and will conclude on 29 Aug 2011.
