BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday 5 May 2016 – The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security (MS) and Counter-Terrorism (CT) Exercise began on May 2 with the harbor phase of MS exercise. The harbor phase of the ADMM-Plus MS & CT Exercise was conducted in the Brunei Waters from 2-4 May and comprised of wide sharing of communications exercises, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) skills exchanges, and flight deck familiarisation.
The sea phase of ADMM-Plus begins today and features a maritime security and counter terrorism scenarios that include cross-deck helicopter operations, VBSS training, divisional tactics, and communication drills. The sea phase activities and operations will continue to take place until 8 May en-route Singapore.
The sea phase kicked off with all naval vessels at sea doing a photoex maneuvering in various formations. Photoex signifies the skills and professionalism of each ship’s ability to take stations safely within very close proximity of each other and it is a dangerous evolution.
The exercise will conclude with arrival of participating warships in Singapore along with a land-storming counter terrorism exercise. The exercise involves military personnel from 18 ADMM-Plus countries, including the 10 ASEAN countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the eight Plus countries of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the United States.
Co-organised by Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand as co-chairs of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security (EWG MS), and Singapore and Australia as the co-chairs of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counter Terrorism (EWG CT), the exercise aims to enhance cooperation of the ADMM-Plus militaries and increase interoperability in responding to maritime threats.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) also consented to visit the exercise sites yesterday.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces units participating include KDB DARUSSALAM, one command team and two special force teams for Counter Terrorism phase. KDB DARUSSALAM, commanded by Commander Haji Nor Ariwwin bin Haji Mohd Ali, is a Darussalam-class patrol vessel of the Royal Brunei Navy, equipped with a rigid inflatable craft. It is one of the most capable ships of the Royal Brunei Navy, and often participates in international naval exercises.
