(VOVworld) – The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) exercise “Deep Sabre 2016” began on Tuesday at the Changi Command and Control Centre in Singapore.

PSI exercise “Deep Sabre 2016” opening ceremony (Source: Straits Times)

This year’s exercise will be held from September 27^th to September 30^th and will involve more than 800 personnel from 21 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, the US, Germany, Japan, and Russia. Participants will take part in activities related to maritime security, such as intercepting the shipping of illegal weapons of mass destruction and related materials. At the opening ceremony, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman said the fight against the proliferation of WMDs requires coordinated efforts across all government agencies, and that multinational participation in the security exercise will send a strong deterrent message to potential violators.