SINGAPORE, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Defense officials in Singapore concluded a validation exercise Monday for a new task force established to counter evolving maritime security threats.
The Ministry of Defense Monday concluded Apex 09, a two-week validation exercise for the new Maritime Security Task Force.
Officials say the Apex 09 exercise was designed to test the MSTF's readiness and the task force's interoperability with other Singaporean agencies. The exercise included operations testing the MSTF's ability to counter a boat suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction, among other threats, the Ministry of Defense reported.
The MSTF was established by the Singaporean armed forces to counter "increased maritime security threats and challenges" and strengthen the "ability to respond swiftly and effectively" to potential threats, the release said.
