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SINGAPORE: With the expansion of Changi Airport and the expected increase in air traffic, steps are being taken to ensure that Singapore's air defense operations remain relevant and up-to-date.
During the Vigilant Shield's biennial exercise on Thursday, March 14, the Air Force of the Republic of Singapore (RSAF) announced that it was reviewing its processes to see whether it was safe. they had to be adjusted.
"In all these exercises, we will see if there are new developments from the Civil Aviation Authority, so that our own air defense plans can be adjusted accordingly to facilitate this, "said LTC Zanna Lee, head of Vigilant Shield exercise planning this year. .
"With the Changi expansion, we expect more traffic, so when we do business we have to make sure that the safety of other civilian airlines is taken into account, and we will try as much as we can not to affect traffic to Changi, "she added.
Speaking after the close of the exercise, Defense Minister Heng Chee How said the threats had evolved and pointed out that Singapore would still be the target of terrorist attacks.
"The methods have evolved and so it's the things that worry us, but at the same time, it forces us to be ever vigilant," Heng said.
He added that a whole-of-government approach is needed to detect potential air threats and react quickly.
As part of the Vigilant Shield exercise, an aircraft hijacking scenario was simulated at Changi Air Base.
Two F-16 C / D fighters from RSAF were intercepted to intercept a "suspicious airliner".
The fighter aircraft escorted the airliner to ensure that it landed safely. After landing the airliner, the jets continued to revolve around him in the air, so he had to attempt to take off.
This year's exercise brought together participants from the RSAF, the Singapore Police and the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority.
Coordinated by the Air Defense Task Force of the Singapore Armed Forces, Exercise Vigilant Shield demonstrates the RSAF's ability to cope with potential air threats with a "Robust 24 Hour Networked Air Defense System" , announced the Ministry of Defense in a press release.
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the RSAF has continually reviewed its air defense procedures to ensure that it is able to counter any potential terrorist attack.
In 2010, a 24-hour working group was set up to respond quickly to terrorist threats.
The Air Defense Task Force, with the Special Operations Working Group, the Island Defense Task Force and the Maritime Safety Working Group, is the core of high availability that protects internal security, the skies and waterways of Singapore.
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