PCG
UPGRADES
WITH NEW
FLEET AND
TRAINING
CENTRE
By SSgt Muhammad Juffry Bin Joihani
“The conditions surrounding the current
maritime operations environment are
tough. Vigilance is therefore a key defence
in guarding our coastline terrain and
fighting the threats of crime, intrusion and
terror attacks. The Police Coast Guard
(PCG) has done us proud thus far and I
remain confident that PCG will continue
to overcome the challenges it faces and
continue to keep Singapore safe and
secure,” said Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)
and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong
Kan Seng. He was the Guest-of-Honour
at the commissioning of the New
Generation Coastal Patrol Craft and
Integrated Tactical Training Centre (ITTC)
on 16 July 2009.
Protecting Singapore’s porous 182 kmlong
coastline is an everyday challenge
for officers at PCG. In this current security
climate, maritime security is even more
vital as it is ranked among the top
homefront security priorities.
To tackle this challenge and remain ever
vigilant in the fight against crime and terror,
PCG acquired 10 new Shark Class coastal
patrol craft to replace the existing fleet
that has served the nation for close to 30
years. Three of the vessels were already
delivered to PCG and was officially
commissioned by DPM Wong on 16 July
2009 at PCG Brani Base. The remaining
seven will make their debut next year..
Among the high-tech features of the
vessels is the 25mm Typhoon MK 25 II
Stabilised Gun System. This highestcalibre
weapon in the Singapore Police
Force can be remotely fired via a joystick
on board the ship and it can hit targets
up to 2.7km away.
Besides the acquisition of highperformance
and purpose-built Coastal
Patrol Craft, PCG has also invested heavily
in staff training, including the use of
advanced simulators such as the ITTC.
The S$29 million ITTC can support two
dimensions of training integration in PCG.
The first is that the various training
modules can replicate the complete
operation of PCG patrol craft to provide
a highly realistic training environment, as
compared to individual module or systembased
training in the past. The second is
that multi-level exercises with strategic
planning, tactical manoeuvring, boathandling
and firearm scenarios can be
executed. Another positive point to note
is that the ITTC allows PCG to save up
to S$5 million in maintenance and fuel
costs compared to training in vessels out
at sea. plm
|
