SINGAPORE, Monday 9 May 2016 - The second phase of the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise (ADMM-Plus MS & CT Ex) began on 8 May 2016 in Singapore. The current stage of this multinational exercise focuses on two parts of Counter-Terrorism (CT) simulations – at sea and on land.
The former was conducted on 8 May 2016 in which the scenario simulated the seizing and control of a hijacked merchant vessel as well as a hostage rescue situation from SEARA, a fictional terrorist organisation. This scenario concluded with the successful “sea-storming” operation by the Special Forces Task Group.
Meanwhile, the land component of the exercise began today involving a “land-storming” operation at Serimbun Village, Singapore, whereby a combined assault was carried out against SEARA. Intelligence provided by the CT Task Group helped facilitate the successful conduct of the counter operation by the CT Task Force (CTTF).
Present to witness the land-based CT operation were the Minister for Defence of the Republic of Singapore, Dr Ng Eng Hen; Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah; and Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Major General Perry Lim.
The CT phase of this exercise builds upon the successful conclusion of the first phase held from 5 to 8 May 2016 in Brunei Darussalam, which centred on Maritime Security (MS). The drills included Visit, Board, Search and Seize (VBSS); Search and Rescue (SAR); Cross Deck landing; and Vessel of Interest (VOI) tracking.
The prevalence of transnational security issues facing almost all countries today necessitates an exercise of this scale and scope. The overarching significance of this exercise in enhancing military-to-military ties and cooperation as well as solidifying the interoperability of participating militaries is further underscored by the evolving and real-time nature of these threats.