| Hakim Hayat |
THE ongoing multi-national maritime security and counter-terrorism military exercise under the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework comes timely given the challenges maritime nations are facing today, not just in terms of conventional threats but also terrorism and piracy, a senior military official from Singapore said yesterday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the culmination of the exercise’s leg in Brunei waters at the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) base yesterday, Brigadier-General Desmond Tan, Director Joint Operations of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), said these are relevant areas where the military can come in to cooperate, as seen in recent times such as search and rescue for aircraft and counter-piracy operations.
“These are areas that we have been cooperating in, and given the current situation, I think it is even timelier. When we talk about counter-terrorism, we all know what is happening in the world and in the region and other countries – it does demonstrate the commitment of the countries in dealing with this,” he added.
Some 3,000 troops, 17 ships, 15 helicopters, two maritime patrol aircraft along with Special Forces from the 18 nations under the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Exercise have been deployed in the exercise co-hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the SAF.
Director Joint Operations of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Brigadier-General Desmond Tan speaking to media representatives
Desmond also praised their counterpart for what he calls the “very professional and top class” abilities in organising such a big scale event. “I must say that with the total number of assets and troops involved it does go to show that Brunei, as a country and host, has been more than capable of mustering the exercise together,” he added.
He also said the previous exercises Brunei and Singapore were involved in such as the ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine (HADR & MM) Exercise in 2013 have helped in enhancing mutual understanding and supported each other in conducting the exercise. “I think Brunei has done a fantastic job and has set a very high bar for the second part of the exercise in Singapore,” he added.
He later said that they welcome any form of cooperation to deal with common challenges, adding that the exercise does show that both countries have the desire to cooperate with other countries, as long as the interest is alive and the ability to work together is there.
“This is really a milestone exercise for people in uniform both professionally and personally. This is one of the largest exercises that I have taken part in, so besides Brunei and Singapore who co-direct the exercise, the Expert Working Group partners – New Zealand and Australia – have done a tremendous job this time,” he said.
“All the other countries that are taking part are committed to make sure this exercise comes to pass and ensure we have a successful, professional and useful exercise; that is something that we encourage as part of the steering committee after planning this for a year,” he added. “I hope that in the Singapore phase of the exercise we can do as well as what has been done in Brunei, which is really fantastic, and we look forward to a great exercise.”
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