In conjunction with the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2007, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is hosting the 2^nd Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS)  Multilateral Sea Exercise, the Multilateral Tactical Training Centre Exercise (MTTCEX) and the Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar (MSIES).   Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces, Major-General (MG) Desmond Kuek, was the Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony at Changi Naval Base today.

The MTTCEX, which takes place from 15 to 18 May 07, will make use of shore simulators to help the participating navies establish and practise common procedures to deal with realistic maritime security scenarios.

The MSIES on 16 May 07 allows the WPNS navies to share their perspectives and experiences on maritime security threats such as piracy and trafficking.

          The Multilateral Sea Exercise , scheduled to be held from 19 to 20 May 07 in the South China Sea, will provide the participating WPNS navies, which have diverse backgrounds, training systems and different working languages, the opportunity to practise at sea the procedures established and simulated during the MTTCEX.  The exercise represents an important avenue for WPNS navies to enhance their interoperability. The exercise will also strengthen mutual confidence and understanding.  This will serve the navies well in circumstances when they are required to co-operate to counter common threats to maritime security.

          The seminar and exercises will involve 19 WPNS navies and 18 warships as well as maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters.

          The WPNS is made up of navies from countries with territories in or adjacent to the Western Pacific region.  Comprising 18 members[1] and 6 observers[2], the WPNS was inaugurated in 1988 after the Chiefs of Navy attending the International Seapower Symposium in 1987 agreed to establish a forum where navies could meet to discuss co-operative initiatives and identify those that warrant further consideration.   The WPNS is an important vehicle for the sharing of ideas and knowledge pertaining to maritime security and WPNS activities regularly bring the navies together to enhance mutual understanding, co-operation and interoperability.

###