Singapore Navy Enhances Regional Cooperation in Maritime Security with 17 countries at Multilateral Exercise SEACAT

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) participated in the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), an annual exercise conducted by the United States Navy (USN), which took place from 12 to 23 August 2024. This year’s Exercise SEACAT saw participants from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Palau, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam coming together to enhance cooperation and information-sharing to strengthen regional responses against maritime security threats.

This year’s SEACAT comprises a five-day shore-based programme featuring a Senior Leaders’ Forum, maritime security seminar, and workshop on Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), followed by a week-long sea phase. RSN personnel from the Maritime Security Response Flotilla (MSRF), Information Fusion Centre (IFC) and Naval Diving Unit (NDU) participated in the shore-based programme, which provided a platform for subject matter experts and participants to share best practices to handle maritime security threats in the region.

The exercise headquarters for the sea phase was set up at the Changi Command and Control Centre (CC2C) in RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base. IFC, together with its attached International Liaison Officers, worked with the multinational exercise participants to sense-make real-time updates on the maritime picture to identify vessels of interest in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as from the South China Sea. The operations centres from the participating navies and coast guards were then cued to deploy aircraft and ships to investigate potential threats and carry out relevant operational responses. These efforts helped to strengthen collaborative efforts in countering maritime security threats in the region.

First established in 2002, the exercise is in its 23rd edition. The RSN’s continued participation in SEACAT reflects its strong support for practical cooperation in maritime security and continued engagement efforts with navies and coast guards from the region and across the world.