The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) led its counterparts from the United States and Japan in a group sail last month, which observers said reflects a growing recognition of its capabilities. The RSN frigate became the first ship outside of the US Navy to lead a multinational group sail to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Assoc Prof Bernard Loo, a defence analyst at the RSIS, said being tasked to lead the group sail reflects “an affirmation of the skill that RSN brings to the table”. Dr Collin Koh, a research fellow and maritime security analyst at RSIS, also agreed that the RSN’s leadership of the group sail showed it had earned its spurs through operations in the Gulf of Aden.