Six states’ navies are participating in an anti-terrorism exercise through the Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2008, which has been operating annually since 2002.
Navies involved include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and the Philippines. I’m not sure which specific part of their navies are involved but FYI their formal names are:
Singapore – The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
Indonesia – Indonesian Navy – Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, or (TNI-AL)
Malaysia – Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) / Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia (TLDM)
Brunei – Royal Brunei Navy / Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB)
Thailand – Royal Thai Navy
Philippines – Philippine Navy (PN) / Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas
The United States Navy is also involved, and has been providing some facilities for the operations and information sharing to be carried out, such as:
Ships involved in the exercises include Tortuga, USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Ford (FFG 54), USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) and U.S. military sealift command ships USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK 3010) and USNS Cpl. Louis J. Hauge (T-AK 3011). In addition, a U.S. P-3C from VP-16 is participating in the exercise.
This sounds like quite a valuable exercise whether if it results in some form of cooperative activity between the states in the region, especially given the geographical fragmentation of the Southeast Asian region, which increases the challenges for states trying to protect against terrorist activity – so much area to patrol with limited resources.
Capt. Michael W. Selby, commander of US Destroyer Squadron One is directing the activity. Selby argued on the United States Navy website:
“SEACAT is a means of contributing to the capabilities of our friends and allies.”
and
“The security of all waterways is vital to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and we applaud the ongoing efforts of regional nations in combating maritime threats. Additionally, we feel that personal relationships built during these types of opportunities are mutually beneficial.”
I agree that secure waterways can greatly benefit the region, if it can be ever attained. Somehow, though, it’s going to be a difficult goal to achieve in waters such as the Malacca Straits, whereby littoral states Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are quite steadfast in their refusal to allow other states assist in its maritime security. The US and China for instance have an interest in ensuring the continued trade of commodities such as crude oil through the region, given their reliance on fossil fuels sourced from Middle Eastern and African states.
Can’t wait for more information about how the exercises went!
