The 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SAMIDARE made a port call at Changi, the Republic of Singapore and participated in a multilateral exercise “SEACAT23” hosted by the U.S. Navy.

From August 13 to 17, the 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SAMIDARE made a port call at Changi, the Republic of Singapore. While at anchor, the unit participated in a multilateral exercise SEACAT23 (Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training 2023) hosted by the U.S. Navy from August 14 to 16 to enhance its tactical capabilities and to promote mutual understanding and confidence building with participating navies. This exercise is a multilateral maritime security and information-sharing exercise held in Singapore, South China Sea, and Strait of Malacca. It is also designed to promote mutual understanding and confidence building with participating navies and to establish a cooperation framework with Southeast Asian navies, coast guards, and law enforcement authorities to respond to a crisis. The JMSDF has been participating in the exercise since 2020 and this is the 3rd time participation this year. It attended a symposium relating to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and a workshop on boarding inspections, etc. The Commanding Officer of JS SAMIDARE, Commander OKUMURA Kenji said, “Through the port visit and the multilateral exercise, we could deepen our friendship with Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. The JMSDF will fully support AOIP (ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific) and strengthen Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation and exchanges in step with the U.S. Navy for the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness, puts all its efforts to defend Japan by enhancing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.