Singapore Conducts Major Multi-Agency Maritime Security Exercise
1. Singapore is conducting a multi-agency maritime security exercise, codenamed Exercise APEX 07 from 13 to 24 Aug.
The cross-domain and multifaceted nature of ensuring security in the maritime domain necessitates strong inter-agency cooperation among all maritime agencies in Singapore.
The exercise emphasises Singapore's continuing efforts to enhance inter-agency collaboration to collectively respond to potential security threats at sea. The exercise will contribute to the safety and security of ships, key maritime infrastructure and vital installations in Singapore waters.
Operational plans for various maritime security scenarios were jointly planned and executed during the exercise to validate the effectiveness of inter-agency information sharing and collaboration under realistic conditions.
2. Led by the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Coastal Command (COSCOM), this annual exercise involves some 2,000 personnel from the RSN, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Army, as well as the Police Coast Guard (PCG), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Some of the assets deployed included the RSN's mine countermeasure vessels, patrol vessels, a missile corvette, mini-unmanned surface vessels, unmanned underwater vehicles, the RSAF's unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as craft from the PCG, MPA and ICA.
3. Exercise APEX 07 also marked the launch of the Harbour Craft Transponder System (HARTS) by Permanent Secretary for Defence, Chiang Chie Foo. Developed by MPA, and jointly implemented by PCG and RSN, the HARTS is designed to automatically track and monitor small powered harbour and pleasure craft in Singapore's port waters.
The transponders send out the crafts' identity, position, course and speed to the relevant authorities, which will better enable the agencies to monitor the movements of these craft and take quick action in the event of any suspicious activity.
Singapore is the first country in the world to implement such a system, which serves as an added security measure to deter a range of potential maritime security threats.
The use of HARTS was demonstrated at sea this afternoon.
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