14th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting

This morning, our Chief of Navy RADM Aaron Beng joined his fellow ASEAN Chiefs of Navy for the 14th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting (ANCM), which was hosted online by the Vietnam People's Navy this year. The theme for this year's ANCM is Naval Cooperation for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN.

Respective leaders at the 14th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting.

Over at RSS Singapura, Changi Naval Base, Head Information Fusion Centre (IFC), Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lester Yong, joined with the ASEAN International Liaison Officers (ILOs) deployed at the IFC also attended the online ANCM.

LTC Yong (center) and the ASEAN ILOs at the IFC.

LTC Yong gave a presentation titled 'Maritime Security (MARSEC) Appreciation Brief'. His brief gave an overview on the MARSEC situation in the region and how cooperation and info-sharing between the IFC, ASEAN navies, and the respective shipping communities led to successful enforcement operations. 

This year is also the 10th anniversary of ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), since its inauguration on 12 Oct 2010. RADM Beng shared that even as we look back at our past successes, it is also important to chart the way ahead. 

RADM Beng (right) giving his viewpoint exchange during the 14th ANCM.

As part of his viewpoint exchange, RADM Beng encouraged his counterparts to continue to engage in practical cooperation as it is the foundation of interoperability and shared understanding. As his concluding remarks, RADM Beng said that the ASEAN navies should continue to keep the lines of communication open, and take the opportunity to initiate engagements when their respective national situations permit. 

"I hope one of these opportunities will be IMDEX (International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference) Asia 2021 and the 7th International Maritime Security Conference, which the RSN will host in July 2021. I look forward to hosting my fellow navy chiefs in Singapore and the RSN team is working hard to make this happen."

We hope that it was a fruitful time for all who attended the 14th ANCM, and we are grateful to the Vietnam People's Navy for hosting this year's iteration.