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HMNZS TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR conducting Replenishment at Sea exercises.

Media Release
15 October 2012

Joint Exercise Increases Interoperability with Republic of Singapore Navy

The Royal New Zealand Navy Anzac Class Frigate HMNZS TE KAHA and replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will today begin a joint exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Frigate RSS STALWART off the East Coast of the North Island.

Exercise LION ZEAL is an annual bilateral exercise which strengthens the already close working relationship between the two Navies. It has been conducted annually since 2004 and provides a chance for the two Navies to practice their roles in maintaining regional security.

“LION ZEAL gives us a valuable opportunity to work alongside the highly regarded Republic of Singapore’s Navy,” says TE KAHA’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jon Beadsmoore.

“RSS STALWART was commissioned in 2009 and is a very technologically advanced warship. I'm looking forward to testing ourselves against her and increasing interoperability between our two Navies".

“Our Navy’s Anzac Frigates are a valuable contributor to regional security so it’s important that we work seamlessly with other navies. It’s also important that we are interoperable and combat capable so this will be the last major exercise we undertake before TE KAHA is upgraded with latest cutting-edge technology next year," says Commander Beadsmoore.

Exercise LION ZEAL will take place from 15 October through to 18 October. It consists of both a sea and shore phase, allowing both Navies to develop closer ties.

ENDS

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