SPDF Chief of Staff, Colonel Simon Dine was invited by the Commander in Chief of the Russian Federation Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov to attend the 05^th Main Naval Parade in St Petersburg, in Russia on 25 July 2021. The Russian Embassy facilitated the trip by sponsoring the return tickets for the delegation, transportation and accommodation. The local delegation comprised the Chief of Staff, Captain Dave Mathieu and Captain Gerard WongPool.

Various other delegations were also invited to attend the event, including India, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Tanzania, Bahrain amongst others.

Present at the Parade was the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin. The parade consisted the participation of various ships and submarines of the Russian Navy and also ship from Iran, India and Pakistan. Aircrafts and helicopters of the Russian Navy also conducted a fly over where the parade was being held.

The Chief of Staff also conducted a Courtesy Call on the Commander in Chief of the Russian Federation Navy.

Visits to various historic sites were also part of the programme for the invited delegations.