SEACAT 2021

• 14 Aug 2021

• The United States-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercises are under way in Singapore and online.
• Now in its 20th year, the annual drills began on 10th August and involve the navies of of 21 countries.
• They include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
• The SEACAT exercises are taking place as China and Russia also undertake joint military exercises in China’s north-central Ningxia region and the US prepares for drills with South Korea that have raised tensions with Pyongyang.
• The South China Sea, which is claimed almost in its entirety by China but also by Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, is one of the world’s busiest waterways and has become an increasing focus of maritime interest.
• SEACAT began in 2002 as “Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism”.
• Several international and non-governmental organisations are also taking part in drills this year. They include the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).