OPENING OF 3RD WESTERN PACIFIC NAVAL SYMPOSIUM (WPNS) MULTI-LATERAL EXERCISE, INAUGURAL SEA EXERCISE AND MARITIME SECURITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SEMINAR
1. In conjunction with IMDEX Asia 2005, the Republic of Singapore Navy is hosting three Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) events. These include the 3rd WPNS Multilateral Tactical Training Centre Exercise, an inaugural WPNS Multilateral Sea Exercise and the first Maritime Security Information Exchange seminar. The Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces, LG Ng Yat Chung, was the Guest of Honour at the Combined Opening Ceremony at Changi Naval Base today.2. At the Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar, several WPNS navies will share their perspectives and experiences on maritime security threats such as the MV Limburg incident and piracy. The discussions will enable WPNS participants to sharpen their understanding of the threats to maritime security. The MTTCEX will use shore simulators to establish and practise common procedures to deal with realistic scenarios involving such issues as maritime security. The inaugural WPNS Multilateral Sea Exercise in the South China Sea is intended to provide participating WPNS navies the opportunity to practise at sea the procedures established and simulated during the MTTCEX.
3. The seminar and exercises will involve 19 WPNS navies and 15 warships. They represent an important avenue for WPNS navies to build capacity to enhance interoperability, and to help develop mutual understanding and confidence should the member navies be required to operate together to counter a common security threat such as maritime terrorism. ###