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

SINGAPORE, March 23, 2011 - 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
www.offshorepatrolasia.com, including free articles, podcasts,
interviews and presentations. The Naval Networking LinkedIn Group is open
for membership: www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3033320

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

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