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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has announced a major milestone in enhancing the relationship between Australia and Singapore, after the Royal Australian Navy and Republic of Singapore Air Force have proven their ability to work together with Singaporean CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter crews qualifying to take-off and land on Australia’s largest vessels, HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra.
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The Singaporean CH-47 crews, permanently based at Oakey in Queensland, spent two days flying from Townsville to HMAS Adelaide at sea to undertake Deck Landing Qualifications, this process included communicating with the warship’s flight control room and being guided by Australian sailors on the flight deck.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said qualifying Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel, to operate their CH-47 aircraft with the Australian Navy, was a force-multiplier for both nations.
"Last week I conducted my second official visit to Singapore, and met with my counterpart Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen. During the visit, we jointly marked 30 years of the Singapore Armed Forces training in Australia," Minister Reynolds explained.
"The 30th Anniversary of Singapore training in Australia is a significant milestone in our bilateral defence relationship, and this activity is a clear demonstration of the closeness of our friendship and our growing interoperability."
This latest capability aggregation builds on the foundations of the Australia-Singapore partnership of a shared strategic perspective and complementary economies, the two nations share interests in the political stability and economic prosperity of the region, and have worked together as like-minded partners to foster these interests. Singapore is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner and one of its longest standing Defence partners in the south-east Asia region.
Minister Reynolds added, "The ability to operate our largest amphibious vessels with Singapore’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters means we can work together to mobilise and move personnel or supplies at sea, and enhance our combined joint capability."
The ASMTI is a key element of Australia and Singapore’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was announced by both governments in 2015. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlines a long-term vision to enhance Australia and Singapore’s strategic trade, economic, Defence and people-to-people links, as well as deepen collaboration between the two countries.
"Singapore maintains an ongoing number of CH-47s at Oakey. These are the same aircraft that came to Australia’s aid during the 2020 bushfire emergency, underscoring the utility of being able to operate with Singapore in a crisis. We will always be grateful for Singapore’s assistance during our time of need," Minister Reynolds said.
The ASMTI provides a unique opportunity to develop and enhance advanced military training areas in central and north Queensland and further strengthen Australia and Singapore’s Defence partnership.
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots (315km/h) is faster than many contemporary utility and attack helicopters. Operated by both Australia and Singapore, the Chinook's primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply. There is a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks underneath.
The Canberra Class amphibious assault ship (LHD), also known as a landing helicopter dock, provides the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world.
These 27,000-tonne ships are able to land a force of over 1,000 personnel by helicopter and water craft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores. The first LHD, HMAS Canberra, was commissioned on 28 November 2014, and the second ship, HMAS Adelaide, was commissioned on 4 December 2015.
The ship is a conventional steel mono hull design with the superstructure located on the starboard side of the flight deck. There are four main decks: the Well Dock and Heavy Vehicle Deck for heavy vehicles and/or cargo; Main Accommodation Deck, including the Primary Casualty Reception Facility; Hangar and Light Vehicle Deck for light weight vehicles and cargo; and the Flight Deck.
