How are Offshore Patrol Vessels Strengthening Maritime Security Across the Asia-Pacific Region?

SINGAPORE, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With Malaysia and Indonesia amongst countries with active requirements for offshore patrol vessels, it is clear that Asia-Pacific maritime security forces regard these platforms as the most cost effective solution to strengthen their operational capabilities against illegal activity in the EEZ, piracy and offshore terrorism.

So how are other nations in the Asia-Pacific, such as India, Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka, using these patrol boats for effective maritime surveillance and security in their EEZ, and what are their current plans and future requirements for them?

To address these, representatives from both regional and international navies and coast guards from around the world - including Malaysia and Indonesia - will gather at Offshore Patrol Vessels Asia-Pacific, taking place 5th-7th April 2011 at the Grand Hyatt, Singapore.

In a recent article in The Philippines Star, Capt. Giovanni Bacordo mentioned that the Philippines Navy plan to purchase three offshore patrol vessels and three multipurpose attack craft in 2011. He commented: "We seek to upgrade the capabilities of the Navy. The acquisition will help us perform our duties."

Bacordo makes the key point - regional navies and coast guards need to develop capable and state-of-the-art patrol fleets in order to challenge threats from the sea and to also carry out disaster and humanitarian missions effectively. How this can be achieved will be discussed at Offshore Patrol Vessels Asia-Pacific, with sessions led by:

- Vice Admiral TNI Marsetyo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Indonesian Navy

- Vice Admiral Didik Heru Purnomo, Chief Executive, Indonesian Maritime Security Coordinating Board (Bakorkamla)

- Rear Admiral Dissanayake, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy

- Rear Admiral Thomas Carney, Director Plans, Policy and Requirements, US Pacific Fleet

- Rear Admiral Jose Antonio Ruesta Botella, Head of Plans and Policy Division, Spanish Navy

- First Admiral Ahmad Puzi bin Hjab Kahar, Director Enforcement and Exercise, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

- Captain Tanin Likitawong, Deputy Naval Operations, Royal Thai Navy

To encourage the growth of the offshore patrol vessels community, Defence IQ offers all serving Flag Officers 1 Star and above a free pass to attend the event. Passes can be requested from Kim Vigilia at kim.vigilia@iqpc.co.uk.

Additional information on the event is available online at http://www.offshorepatrolasia.com, including free articles, podcasts, interviews and presentations. The Naval Networking LinkedIn Group is open for membership: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3033320

Kim Vigilia | IQPC International | +44(0)20-7368-9510 | kim.vigilia@iqpc.co.uk