ADMM-PLUS NAVIES KICK OFF MAJOR SEA SECURITY EXERCISE

30apr19_news1-photo1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/30apr19_news1-photo1.jpg?sfvrsn=258df478_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/ADMM-PLUS-NAVIES-KICK-OFF-MAJOR-SEA-SECURITY-EXERCISE
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/ADMM-PLUS-NAVIES-KICK-OFF-MAJOR-SEA-SECURITY-EXERCISE
ADMM-PLUS NAVIES KICK OFF MAJOR SEA SECURITY EXERCISE
30 Apr 2019 | OPS & TRAINING

ADMM-PLUS NAVIES KICK OFF MAJOR SEA SECURITY EXERCISE

// Report by Benita Teo

// Photos by Chua Soon Lye

From Busan, ROK

What happens if criminal activity is discovered at sea? How can the surrounding nations work together to track down the suspicious vessels and stop the perpetrators?

Such scenarios will be tackled at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX), which is ongoing from 30 Apr to 13 May.

The ADMM-Plus Maritime Security FTX is co-organised by Singapore and the Republic of Korea (ROK), as part of the two countries’ co-chairmanship of the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security from 2017 to 2020.

At the opening ceremony, held in Busan, ROK on 30 Apr, the ADMM-Plus countries pledged to enhance maritime cooperation and communication between their respective navies.

In his opening address, Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Commander Maritime Battle Group 3, Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lee Seong Yeol highlighted the importance of multinational cooperation to tackle maritime threats.

He said: “The recent and increasing occurrences of maritime terrorism, piracy and transcontinental crimes threaten the liberty of maritime use, enhancing the crucial need for cooperation among nations.

“It is my hope that this exercise will hone (their) joint response capability (against) maritime crime, (foster) camaraderie among nations and strengthen trust.”

Co-Commander Task Group for the Maritime Security FTX, Colonel (COL) Lim Yu Chuan echoed those sentiments.

“This exercise is significant because what we do at sea here will help us build confidence and trust among the ADMM-plus nations,” said COL Lim, who is also Commander 1st Flotilla and Commanding Officer of 185 Squadron in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

A total of 19 ships, 10 aircraft and about 700 personnel from the 18 ADMM-Plus countries will be participating in a series of maritime security drills and professional exchanges. These will be held off the waters of ROK and Singapore.

“This particular FTX aims to promote practical cooperation between navies in the area of maritime security,” said RSN Major Ho Chuan, who is Singapore’s Lead Planner in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security FTX.

“The objective is to bring like-minded countries together to keep our seas open, allow us to better understand each other (and) help us to enhance maritime security in our region.”

While coordinating between the navies was no easy task, the 30-year-old Operations Officer of RSS Stalwart noted that the different backgrounds and experiences that each brought to the table proved to be beneficial to the exercise.

The ADMM-Plus Maritime Security FTX will bring together participants and observers from the ADMM nations comprising the ten ASEAN countries, as well as “Plus” countries Australia, China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States. 

Captain Roy Vincent T Trinidad, commander of the Philippine Navy contingent at the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security FTX, believes that the exercise will provide valuable learning opportunities: “It shows us the areas (in which) we can cooperate, and (share) tactics, techniques and procedures in the naval environment.”

The 50-year-old, who is Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Central in Cebu added: “It opens communication lines between all participants… so that navy-to-navy, we know who to get in touch with (in the event of incidents at sea).”

The ADMM-Plus Maritime Security FTX will culminate with a sea security drill off the waters of Singapore on 12 May before ending with a closing ceremony at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base on 13 May.

Suggested Reading
Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

How do you house some 6,000 people and feed them for three months? You build a pop-up “city” – complete with accommodations and the basic comforts of home – for the thousands of SAF soldiers who train annually in Queensland, Australia.

Cover story
FIGHTING AS ONE AT EXERCISE TRIDENT
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Singapore’s army, navy and air force work together with Australian troops to capture targets in both jungle and urban warfare.

Cover story
THEY LIFT UP OUR BIG GUNS
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Get up close with the men and machines of 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (24 SA), who provide a boost to our gunners to make sure they are always on time and on target.

COMMAND & STAFF COLLEGE GRADUANDS READY TO TAKE ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Super Puma flight tales
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Retired helicopter pilot MAJ (Ret) Robert Tan was among the first few batches of locally-trained Super Puma pilots. Sports car or smooth bus – guess which vehicle he likens the aircraft to?

Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

Feature
He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

LTC (NS) Leow Kah Shin and his NS buddies go on an annual “Exercise Longwalk” as a commitment to do something adventurous together.

Charting their path in the skies
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

From passion to flight: Students Cherie Goh and Alexey Cher fulfilled their childhood aspirations to attain their “wings”.

CSL_4657
Armour visit Dad at work!
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

In this year’s PIONEER Kids special, MAJ Justin Tan brings his three children – Danielle, Thaddeus and Asher – on a military adventure at the Home of the Armour.