Singapore among 18 countries involved in regional maritime security exercise
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The annual exercise, known as South-east Asia Cooperation and Training, took place from Aug 12 to Aug 23.
PHOTO: MINDEF
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SINGAPORE – Singapore was among 18 countries that took part in a regional maritime security exercise aimed at strengthening responses against security threats from the sea.
The annual exercise, known as South-east Asia Cooperation and Training (Seacat), took place from Aug 12 to Aug 23.
It involved participants from five other South-east Asian countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam – as well as those from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Palau, France, Germany, Britain and the US.
Led by the US navy, the exercise consisted of a five-day shore-based programme, followed by a week-long sea phase held at the Changi Command and Control Centre in RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base.
Experts and participants shared best practices to handle maritime security threats in the region, during the shore-based programme.
It was attended by personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Response Flotilla, Information Fusion Centre (IFC) and Naval Diving Unit.
During the sea phase of the exercise, IFC and its international liaison officers – who help facilitate communication across parties in different countries – worked with participants to make sense of real-time information on vessels in the region in order to identify vessels of interest in the straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as from the South China Sea.
Operations centres from the participating navies and coast guards were then cued to deploy aircraft and ships to investigate potential threats and carry out relevant operational responses.
Republic of Singapore Navy personnel conducting mission planning with personnel from participating countries.
PHOTO: MINDEF
“These efforts helped to strengthen collaborative efforts in countering maritime security threats in the region,” said the Ministry of Defence in a statement on Aug 23.
This exercise marks the 23rd Seacat since it was first held in 2002.
“The RSN’s continued participation in Seacat reflects its strong support for practical cooperation in maritime security and continued engagement efforts with navies and coast guards from the region and across the world,” said Mindef.
