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Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean officiated at the opening ceremony of Exercise Deep Sabre (XDS), a multinational maritime interdiction exercise held under the ambit of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). XDS is the 17th PSI exercise to be held since the PSI was launched in May 2003. It is also the first PSI exercise to be held in Southeast Asia.
The scenario for XDS involves a multinational interdiction of a merchant ship carrying an illegal shipment of dual-use chemicals destined for an entity of proliferation concern. Once interdicted, the ship will be diverted to Singapore for a port search by civilian enforcement agencies.
XDS is one of the largest PSI exercises organised to date. It involves approximately 2,000 personnel from the military, coast guard, customs and other agencies of 13 PSI countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America). A total of ten surface vessels and six maritime patrol aircraft are participating in the sea phase.
PSI is a multinational initiative to address the growing challenge posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials. PSI aims to build upon existing mechanisms and to create new and effective tools to prevent the proliferation of WMD and related items, in a manner that is consistent with national legal authorities and relevant international laws and frameworks.
PSI exercises are held regularly to enhance the ability of PSI countries to work together in a co-operative, co-ordinated and effective manner to prevent the proliferation of WMD and related items. The hosting of XDS underscores Singapore’s commitment to global counter-proliferation efforts and Singapore’s firm support for PSI.
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