20th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting: One ASEAN, One Maritime Vision

The 20th ANCM brought together the ASEAN Navy Chiefs. They discussed shared priorities and the strengthening of cooperation towards a more secure and resilient maritime region. Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Defence, General Tharapong Malakam (sixth from left), delivered the opening address.

Earlier this week, our Chief of Navy RADM Sean Wat attended the 20th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) in Bangkok, Thailand, where he met with his counterparts from across ASEAN.

Under the theme “One ASEAN, One Maritime Vision: Naval Cooperation for Maritime Security, Prosperity, and Sustainability in ASEAN”, the navy chiefs discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and build greater trust and understanding among the ASEAN navies.

To enhance cooperation further, the ASEAN navies will also be coming together for the 2nd ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) in September 2026.

During the viewpoint exchange, RADM Wat shared that the ANCM brings ASEAN navies together to further discussions on enhancing cooperation, touching on two key areas:

First, the importance for ASEAN navies to strengthen cooperation anchored on international law and a rules-based order.

Next, the importance of acting together early on emerging challenges, especially those beneath the surface, noting that as our region hosts the densest network of undersea cables in the world, a single disruption would be felt across every market globally.

RADM Wat received the Wheel of Unity from Admiral Pairote Fuangchan as the RSN prepares to chair the 21st ANCM in 2027. In his remarks, RADM Wat said:

"It is an honour for the RSN to take up the chairmanship of the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting for 2027. In today’s uncertain and turbulent world, cooperation in ASEAN is even more critical to secure peace and stability in our region. ANCM remains an important pillar of our maritime cooperation.”

RADM Wat called on Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral Pairote Fuangchan. Both chiefs reviewed the longstanding and regular interactions between the RTN and the RSN, including Admiral Pairote Fuangchan’s introductory visit to Singapore in February, as well as the meeting between RADM Wat, members of the Naval Staff and their Thai counterparts in July at the Strategic Interactions Programme.

Our two navies also interact regularly through the bilateral exercise Exercise Singsiam, which took place earlier this year in May, as well as multilateral exercises including the Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX). Both navies also collaborated closely as part of the 16th Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP) in January.

Chief of the Indonesian Navy Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali (top left), Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Tan Sri (Dr.) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain (top right), Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy First Admiral Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin (bottom left) and Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta (bottom right).

RADM Wat also held bilateral meetings with his ASEAN counterparts to reaffirm strong bilateral ties and longstanding partnerships.