HMS Dauntless arrives in Singapore as New Zealand frigate joins CSG25
A Type 45 destroyer has gone ahead to Singapore during the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, as it welcomed a New Zealand frigate to the task group.
HMS Dauntless has sailed to the Garden City, which is unusual as she would usually stay close to HMS Prince of Wales.
The British vessel has been greeted by the British Defence Singapore Support Unit, a British naval facility located in Sembawang, Singapore, and could be seen on a BDSSU X post passing USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205), a United States Navy replenishment oiler.
HMS Tamar and HMS Spey regularly use the facility.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand warship, Te Kaha, is currently getting used to working with the multinational force after two months of security patrols, including drug-busting operations alongside the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean.
CSG25 is knuckling down to the Asia-Pacific phase of its Operation Highmast deployment, spending the summer east of Suez conducting a series of exercises with allies and partners in the region.
"Te Kaha already has 'runs on the board' following a successful two-month deployment with the Combined Task Force 150 in the Arabian Sea, so they’ll be hitting the ground running," said Commodore Shane Arndell, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Maritime Component Commander.
"Being able to work collaboratively with our global allies and partners and demonstrating maritime interoperability is critical for us, and Operation Highmast will deliver some key outcomes for our navy."
The New Zealanders have been getting acquainted with other vessels, as the people from the other side of the world have made use of CSG's refuelling facilities, conducting a replenishment at sea.
Her Sea Sprite helicopter has been using HMS Prince of Wales' flight deck, while the Fleet Air Arm helicopters have dropped in on Te Kaha.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commanding Officer, UK CSG, has flown aboard the New Zealand warship to formally welcome Te Kaha, her Commanding Officer Fiona Jameson, and her 180 crew.
"The UK Carrier Strike Group is multinational by design – it's fantastic to work with allies and partners from across the world, and it's fantastic to have our New Zealand friends with us as we develop our combined operational capabilities," Cdre Blackmore added.
"It was a privilege to visit HMNZS Te Kaha. Having such a professional crew integrating with us as we reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific will certainly enhance our outputs."
There are 10 countries participating in the CSG deployment, known as Operation Highmast, which will last eight months and cover more than 30,000 miles.
CSG25 will conduct further large-scale exercises with allies in the Middle East, Japan and Australia.
More than 4,500 British military personnel are involved, including nearly 600 RAF, 900 soldiers, and 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.
For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.
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