Sailor accidentally f ires ‘blank round’ in Singapore

A sailor has escaped disciplinary action after accidentally letting off a blank round from an assault rifle in Singapore, the Defence Force says.

The incident happened several weeks ago while the frigate

HMNZS Te Kaha was abroad for exercises in the South China Sea.

Te Kaha was berthed in Singapore and the crew were undertaking a drill at the time.

The unintentional discharge from the MARS-L rifle happened while the sailor was handling the weapon on the flight deck.

‘‘One blank round was discharged from a MARS-L rifle while the ship was berthed at

Singapore,’’ a Defence spokesman said. ‘‘No projectile was released given it was a blank round.’’

Asked whether Singapore or Malaysia were informed following the unintentional discharge, Defence said that was not necessary.

‘‘Following the incident, the ship advised the New Zealand Defence Support Unit Singapore, as per protocols. It was decided that escalation wasn’t necessary as it had no impact on Singaporean territory.

‘‘There was no disciplinary action taken, but the incident has been used as an important lesson for the ship’s company about weapon safety.’’

According to a Defence Force press release issued in October, the ship was joining ‘‘military partners’’ in the South China Sea.

While away, Kiwi troops were training alongside ships from Britain, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands and Canada.

‘‘NZDF deployments exercise freedom of navigation and overflight,’’ the press release said. ‘‘The NZDF undertakes all activities in accordance with international law, and for ships in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.’’