PANO – Representatives of the two hosts (Brunei and Singapore) of the ADMM+ Maritime Security and Counterterrorism Field Training Exercise (ADMM+ FTX) stressed: “The 2016 ADMM+ FTX is an opportunity for countries to extend defense cooperation, share experience, and sharpen ways to deal with real situations.”

An advance in techno-tactical field maneuver

The 2016 ADMM+ FTX was joined by forces from 18 participating ADMM+ countries. The FTX took place in the context of regional countries facing increasing maritime security threats and terrorism. ADMM+ countries are strongly resolved to clear all these threats.

The FTX covered three events: ashore staff and command exercise, ashore field training exercise, and field training exercise at sea. Two areas of the FTX, the maritime security and counterterrorism exercises, were conducted in Brunei and Singapore. These two areas are considered practical and an advanced step in techno-tactical maneuver and coordination among multi-national forces of ADMM+ countries. One of the special features of the FTX is that it was conducted with the support of advanced and scientific management equipment and software.

Vice Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Vietnamese Commando team in a joint photo with Singaporean Defense Minister  Ng Eng Hen

Representatives of participating countries agreed that the FTX featured various aspects simulating reality, while its difficulty increased gradually in accordance with FTX phases. The FTX was suitable for a multilateral exercise. This is also one of the largest-scale exercises in the ASEAN region.

The scenario of the FTX is considered scientific and kept secret. So it posed surprises for participating forces, partially revealing the real state of security in the region. Participating forces also discussed tactics and drew lessons and contents of the FTX to build on in future scenarios for other multilateral exercises.

The FTX brought valuable experience to participating countries in managing operational commands, as well as in operation coordination on shore and at sea. More importantly, it showed the solidarity and unanimity among ADMM+ countries in maintaining maritime security and dealing with terrorism.

The 2016 ADMM+ FTX is a big step forwards, not only in defense cooperation, but also in other aspects, contributing to efforts to co-develop among ADMM+ countries.

Valuable lessons learned by Vietnamese naval and commando forces

As an active ADMM+ member, Vietnam sent its naval and commando forces to a multilateral FTX for the first time. This demonstrated Vietnam’s strong determination to integrate more widely and deeply into the global community. Senior Colonel Le Xuan Thuy, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and head of the Vietnamese contingent to the exercise, said the Vietnamese forces fulfilled their mission, meeting all requirements and targets outlined in the FTX. And the Vietnamese contingent was also highly appreciated by the hosts and by participating countries.

The Vietnamese forces participated well in all FTX particulars, demonstrating their techno-tactical skills and fulfilling tasks as well as possible. Through the FTX, naval and commando officers of Vietnam also learned valuable lessons. By participating in all aspects of the FTX, Vietnam showed ADMM+ countries its responsibility, enhanced trust, and increased international defense cooperation.

“By sending naval and commando forces to the 2016 ADMM+ FTX, we built a more stable  foundation for boosting multilateral defense cooperation in the future. This is the first time Vietnam has sent warships to an ADMM+ FTX. This shows the consistent policy of the Party, State and the People’s Army of Vietnam in protecting its national maritime sovereignty. It also shows Vietnam’s responsibility towards the regional and international community, especially in the face of the recent complicated developments in the East Sea (South China Sea),” said Senior Colonel Le Xuan Thuy.

Translated by Huu Duong