FACT SHEET: EXERCISE NORTHSTAR VIII - TESTING AND VALIDATING THE NATIONAL MARITIME SECURITY SYSTEM

Ex Northstar VIII aims to test and validate the National Maritime Security System (NMSS). The NMSS is a whole-of-government framework that tightens the integration among various maritime agencies to deal with maritime security threats in Singapore. The framework promotes information sharing, situation awareness, decision-making and operational coordination among our maritime security agencies. Co-organised by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the exercise will be conducted from 10 to 25 Nov 2011.

The testing and validation of the NMSS will be done during the exercise through a series simulated maritime incidents, from 21 to 25 Nov 2011. This phase involves the sense-making arm of the NMSS, also known as the National Maritime Sense-making Centre (NMSC), which will analyse and compile the information to provide early warning of threats. It will test inter-agency cooperation in the areas of information sharing and analysis. Based on the information collected, the operational arm of the NMSS - also known as the National Maritime Operations Group (NMOG) - will proceed to plan, coordinate and direct operations on the ground to deal with a security threat scenario where terrorists hijack a tanker. This culminates in a demonstration of a counter-terrorist ship interception and storming operation conducted by various maritime agencies on 25 Nov 2011. The Chief of Navy of the RSN has been appointed to oversee both the NMSC and the NMOG and will take the role of Crisis Manager when threat arises, to ensure an effective and coherent national response across all maritime security agencies.

About 230 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and 110 personnel from various national agencies will be participating in the workshops, the testing and validation of the NMSS, as well as the sea demonstration; these agencies comprise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information Communications and the Arts, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Police Coast Guard (PCG), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) and Singapore Customs (SC).

Background : Ex Northstar

First introduced in 1997, the Northstar series of exercises validates the response plans of various national agencies by testing their readiness and coordination in responding to civil emergencies and countering terrorist threats. The exercise typically showcases a whole-of-government approach to operations, as well as the swift responses and quick recovery efforts of the agencies involved.