Members of the Thai Royal Navy's aircraft carrier "Chakri Naruebet" wave during the International Maritime Review held at Singapore on May 15, 2017. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) hosted the first Singapore International Maritime Review (IMR) on Monday in celebration of its Golden Jubilee, the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
SINGAPORE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) hosted the first Singapore International Maritime Review (IMR) on Monday in celebration of its Golden Jubilee, the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement.
The ministry said the event was attended by 46 warships and four aircraft, as well as more than 30 navy chiefs, vice navy chiefs and directors-general of coast guards and more than 40 flag rank officers, from 44 participating nations.
Speaking at the review, President Tony Tan Keng Yam said, "The gathering of navies around the world for the first Singapore IMR is a testament to the strong friendships and extensive network Singapore enjoys across the world."
He added that multilateral cooperation is key to ensure a stable maritime order as well as safe and secure seas as most of the security threats are transnational in nature.
Apart from conducting a land review of the berthed warships, President Tan boarded the recently commissioned Littoral Mission Vessel, RSS Independence, for the sea review of warships anchored off the base.
He then renamed the Changi Naval Base, which hosts more than 100 foreign warships a year, into RSS Singapura, Changi Naval Base.
The renaming will serve as a reminder to Singapore's sailors of the RSN's heritage and the RSN's vital role in defending Singapore, Tan added.
