Permanent Secretary for Defence Development Mr Chan Yeng Kit officiated at the opening of the inaugural International Naval Engineering Conference at International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference Asia 2013 (INEC at IMDEX Asia 2013) this morning.
This year’s conference, themed “Transforming Naval Capability – Riding the Next Technology Wave”, is focused on the importance of technology as a force multiplier in transforming naval capabilities to meet future challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr Chan underscored the importance of going beyond identifying the right technologies for force multiplier effects.
Mr Chan said, “For Singapore, I see force-multiplier technologies such as network-centricity, sense-making, mission modularity and unmanned systems, to be areas with potential for exploitation.”
Held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, some 250 attendees from more than 20 countries came together to discuss topics on naval technology that are of interest to defence and maritime security, such as naval ship design, naval propulsion and automation, unmanned naval technology, underwater warfare technology, and surface warfare technology.
The INEC at IMDEX Asia 2013 is organised by Experia Events Pte Ltd in association with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) and supported by the Republic of Singapore Navy. Held in conjunction with IMDEX Asia, it provides a platform for high level exchanges of ideas and in-depth discussions on the latest developments in naval technology among senior naval officers, technology managers, research academia and key industry players from the Asia Pacific region and beyond. This is the first time that IMarEST is holding its signature INEC event outside Europe.
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Press Release, May 16, 2013; Image: Experia Events