Singapore Participates in Annual Counter-Terrorism Naval Exercise

LTA Sim Boon Heng Victor (first row, centre) and his foreign counterparts conducting a planning exercise at Changi C2 Centre during Ex SEACAT.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) participated in the annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise, together with the United States Navy and navies from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. This year's exercise, which was held from 2 to 12 September 2013, marks the 12th in the series.

The Exercise SEACAT series, which started in 2002, aims to enhance maritime information-sharing and the coordination of maritime security responses in the region. During the exercise, the participating navies conducted planning exercises at the Changi Command and Control (C2) Centre at Changi Naval Base. Other drills included the tracking of ships, and the boarding of a merchant vessel simulating to be engaged in terrorist-related activities at sea.

Personnel from the RSN's Maritime Security Task Force, including an Accompanying Sea Security Team, took part in the exercise. Assets involved in the exercise included a patrol vessel from the RSN, patrol boats from the Singapore Police Coast Guard and a maritime patrol aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The RSN's Maritime Security Task Force conducting a compliant boarding during EX SEACAT.