ADMM-Plus defence forces conduct a simulated disaster response during Exercise Trident Resolve in Banten, Indonesia. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)
Defence forces from ASEAN and its partner countries are taking part in two major ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) exercises, with training focused on maritime cooperation, disaster response and regional resilience in Banten, Indonesia from September 20 to 26.
Exercise Trident Resolve (XTR) simulates a large-scale disaster requiring coordination between military and civilian agencies. Activities include search and rescue, medical evacuation and treatment, chemical, biological and radiological response, cybersecurity and infrastructure repair.
The exercise brings together three ADMM-Plus Expert Working Groups: Cybersecurity, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and Military Medicine. It also marks the first field exercise to include the Cyber Security Experts’ Working Group.
Moreover, Indonesia’s hospital ship KRI dr. Soeharso and Singapore’s RS Endeavour, equipped with surgical capabilities through a rapidly deployable maritime medical facility, are supporting the maritime component and will complement shore-based medical facilities.
The cyber component will focus on protecting information systems and information integrity from disruption or compromise during a multinational disaster response. The training also includes medical, public health and infrastructure activities supporting local communities in Banten, led by Indonesian authorities and local partners.
Meanwhile, the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Experts’ Working Group Joint Cooperative Activity (MS JCA) is being held in Subic Bay, Philippines. Co-hosted by Japan and the Philippines, the maritime exercise is designed to strengthen cooperation, collective maritime domain awareness and regional resilience against natural disasters.
Participating countries include Australia, Brunei, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and the United States, with ships, aircraft and personnel deployed for the exercise.
The shore phase in Subic Bay includes a disaster-response tabletop exercise, subject-matter expert exchanges, ship open houses and cultural exchanges. On the other hand, the sea phase will focus on maritime skills and interoperability.
By combining cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, military medicine, maritime awareness and disaster response, the exercises strengthen practical interoperability between ASEAN and its Plus partners while preparing military and civilian agencies to respond to complex crises. Rather than focusing on a single threat, the activities highlight a broader approach to regional resilience, where maritime security, infrastructure, information systems and emergency response are increasingly interconnected.
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