Maritime forces from 20 Indo-Pacific partner countries taking part in SEACAT Exercise

Asia-Pacific, News, US August 17, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Maritime forces from 20 Indo-Pacific partner nations are taking part in the 22nd iteration of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) Exercise in Singapore. The two-week maritime exercise is being led by the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

SEACAT is a multilateral exercise aimed at strengthening coordination among nations in the Indo-Pacific region. It fosters joint efforts to effectively address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain by using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Overall 20 nations participated in SEACAT 2023 Exercise, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. This year for the first time Indian maritime forces participated in the exercise since the series began over two decades ago.

According to the U.S. Navy statement, “The exercise allows for several exchanges and training on multilateral cooperation in support of maintaining rules and norms in the maritime domain across the Indo-Pacific.” The statement highlighted that “SEACAT promotes shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in Southeast Asia.”

During the opening ceremony for the SEACAT Exercise, Commander of Task Force 76/3 and Expeditionary Strike Group 7, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Chris Stone spoke about the importance of partnership and working together to be able to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Stone said, “This year’s SEACAT is the largest to date, with 20 countries and 14 ships in attendance. Throughout the ashore and at-sea events, the goal is to improve our capabilities to respond to crises, contingencies, or illegal activities in the maritime domain. SEACAT is fundamentally about improving information sharing and increasing our collective maritime domain awareness.”

^{Participants of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2023 pose for a photograph at the conclusion of the opening ceremony in Singapore, on August 14, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Parker)}

Stone further added, “I view multinational force operations as the cornerstone of maritime security, which in turn contributes to peace and prosperity in the region and enables a free and open Indo-Pacific in which we collectively commit to following the international rules-based order.”

The U.S. Navy said in a statement, “For this iteration of SEACAT, the first week of the exercise will be a shore phase. This will include a maritime domain awareness (MDA) seminar and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) workshop.” The seminar features presentations and interactive, small-group sessions with participants from partner nations.

“The VBSS workshop will be led by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (USCG MSRT). Shore-based training will also include an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) workshop covering a broad range of tactics and procedures for SEACAT participants to develop MDA,” the statement added.

This year U.S. Navy participants include personnel from Destroyer Squadron 7 and Task Force 76/3, Military Sealift Command Far East, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet, and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Task Force 72.

The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered flee. It operates in the Indo-Pacific region and plays an important role in promoting stability and security, as well as cooperation among U.S. regional allies and partners. The 7th Fleet’s operations involve a wide range of activities, including joint exercises, maritime patrols, supporting regional partners, and responding to threats.

^{U.S. fighter jet conducts flight operations in the Indian Ocean, part of routine operations in the U.S. 7th fleet area of responsibility to maintain readiness to respond in support of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region. (Image Credit: Twitter/@INDOPACOM)}

During the second week of the exercise, the Allies will conduct sea drills. Singapore will serve as a centralized hub for crisis coordination and information sharing. “Participants will also receive training in boarding operations by multiple nations designed to simulate real-world at-sea environments,” the statement added.

Commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, Capt. Sean Lewis said, “The collaboration and advanced maneuvers that we are executing, the skill level that is on display, and the enthusiasm of the participants is unmatched. I am continually impressed when I see how much we can do together. Our success here makes me confident in our ability to grow stronger relationships with our partners and maintain continued peace and security in this region.”