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China Singapore Joint Maritime Exercise Launches in Zhanjiang — AI-generated representative image: A Chinese frigate and a Singaporean frigate sail together at sea during a joint maritime exercise.

Editorial Team

Bilateral naval drill features live-fire operations, replenishment-at-sea and joint search-and-rescue training

China and Singapore have launched a joint maritime exercise, with an opening ceremony held at a naval port in Zhanjiang. The exercise is being conducted in the waters and airspace around the city and involves two warships: the Chinese guided-missile frigate Dali and Singapore's frigate RSS Steadfast.

The drill features live-fire exercises, replenishment-at-sea operations and joint search-and-rescue training, according to China's Ministry of National Defense.

The exercise is intended to deepen mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation and enhance the two navies' ability to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. It reflects the growing regularity of bilateral military exchanges between China and Singapore, which have become an established part of their defense relationship.

Exercise Structure and Scope

The exercise is being conducted in two phases, covering in-port exchanges and at-sea drills. During these phases, the two sides will exchange expertise on diving operations, submarine search and rescue, and underwater medicine.

At-sea components include drills in communications, replenishment-at-sea, joint maritime strikes and joint search and rescue. The exercise follows an announcement earlier this week by China's Ministry of National Defense outlining the planned activities.

History of Bilateral Maritime Cooperation

China and Singapore held their first bilateral maritime exercise in 2015. Since then, such joint exercises have become a regular feature of military exchanges between the two countries.

In May 2025, the Chinese Navy dispatched a guided-missile frigate and a mine countermeasure vessel to Singapore for a joint exercise, continuing the pattern of reciprocal naval engagement between the two nations.

Beyond its partnership with Singapore, China also carries out routine joint drills and training with other neighboring countries, including Thailand and Cambodia.

Expert Perspective on Operational Significance

Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe said the joint search-and-rescue drills hold important practical significance given the heavy maritime traffic and complex weather and sea conditions in the South China Sea.

Under search-and-rescue zones designated by the International Maritime Organization, both China and Singapore hold maritime rescue responsibilities in relevant waters of the South China Sea. Zhang noted that this requires their naval forces to fulfill corresponding duties.

He added that live-fire exercises and replenishment-at-sea operations help enhance the two navies' combat capabilities.

What Lies Ahead

The exercise is now underway following the opening ceremony in Zhanjiang, with the two participating frigates engaged in the planned in-port exchanges and at-sea drills. Further details on specific outcomes or additional phases of the exercise have not yet been announced.

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