ADMM-Plus Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism began in Brunei on May 1, 2016, and will go on until May 9, 2016.
ADMM-Plus is an abbreviation for ‘ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus’. The exercise is a multinational naval exercise conducted under the aegis of ADMM Plus consortium and focuses on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism (Ex MS & CT).
This edition of ADMM MS & CT FX is being co-hosted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). It will culminate at Singapore after conducting with various drills and exercises in the South China Sea.
The exercise seeks to strengthen the strong bilateral ties and extensive maritime interactions between India and ASEAN countries.
It aims at enhancing mutual understanding with respect to maritime security issues and streamlining drills on counter-terrorism operations at sea.
The Indian Navy has been a regular participant in maritime exercises conducted by the ADMM countries. This year Indian warship INS Airavat is participating in it commanded by Commander Jayant Mahadik.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat is a Landing Ship Tank, indigenously designed and built in India. The ship has a lift capability of 500 troops, 10 tanks and 11 combat trucks.
The ship was inducted into the Indian Navy on 19 May 2009. It is effectively tasked with a variety of missions ranging from amphibious operations to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). An integral helicopter significantly enhances the capability of the ship.
The ADMM exercise began with a harbour phase which included board, search, and seizure (VBSS) skills exchanges, flight deck familiarization and a welcome reception hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The sea phase of the exercise will then be commenced. This phase will feature a maritime security and counterterrorism scenario, both of which include cross-deck helicopter operations, VBSS training, divisional tactics and communications drills.
During the exercise, the Indian Navy would engage with about 14 participating navies from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Japan, Russia, Australia, Republic of Korea and US, through professional interactions in the harbour and complex operations at sea.
Indian Navy and the navies of ASEAN countries have a mutual interest in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, given our shared maritime security interests. The participation of INS Airavat aims to bolster India’s ties and enhance inter-operability with the participating navies.
