A consortium consisting of the American firm Fire Arms Training Systems (FATS) and Danish FORCE Technology is to deliver a complete state-of-the-art simulation centre to the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG).

Thin line between fiction and reality

Imagine a terrorist situation at sea in rough weather, with coast guard vessels taking enemy fire. To be able to handle such a situation requires training in a complex and highly realistic environment.

FATS and FORCE Technology are to deliver an entire simulation centre, consisting of state-of-the-art weaponry and tactical vessel simulators, announces Peter Justesen, head of the section responsible for submitting the bid and fulfilling the high expectations.

The chief components are two firing simulators mounted on a moving platform, five tactical ship simulators to provide training for the six types of PCG vessels, and a command-and-control and communication system simulator.

Extreme variation in simulator training

The simulator environment includes visual and sound effects that will give weapons teams, crewmen and the command centre a realistic experience under training. According to Mr. Justesen, there will be more than 100 target types, many different sea conditions and several threat levels built into the training.

FORCE Technology is experienced in the development of simulators

As one facet of the bid evaluation, representatives of the Singapore authorities undertook a tour of the short-listed firms, including FATS and FORCE Technology's Division for Maritime Industry in Lyngby (Denmark).

FORCE Technology has many years of experience in the development as well as the use of simulators, and is known for the very high level of realism in its ship simulators. These can be seen in the firm's Lyngby facilities, which include a large simulator complex established in a 1996 joint venture with the Danish Maritime Shipping Administration. The complex is available for the basic training of navigators and, not least, for advanced training for commercial fleet officers.

FORCE Technology's division in Lyngby is rather unique in that its development and sale of simulators, development and knowledge of training methods and curricula and of the human factors in control-room environments are all found under one roof, says the division's chief, Stig Sand.

The overall contract is valued at 29 million Singapore dollars (equivalent to 100 million Danish kroner).

The most advanced training simulator in the world

A PCG spokesman, Tan Puay Kern, states that the training will result in big savings, partly compared to the current training undertaken at a single location on Pulau Brani, and partly because practical training now conducted in coastal waters can be shifted to the simulator. According to Mr. Tan, there are no other training facilities of such advanced character anywhere in the world.

The work has already begun, and the simulator complex will be completed in 2008.

International supplier of maritime simulators

FORCE Technology has lately delivered large ship simulators to the South African Maritime Training Academy near Cape Town (dedicated by President Mbeki and ship-owner Jess Søderberg), the Danish Navy at Holmen in Copenhagen and Venice's Consorzio Venezia Nuova (which is building the sea barrier for the city's protection).

With the impending project for Singapore's Police Coast Guard, the name of FORCE Technology is solidly planted among the serious international suppliers of maritime simulators, says Managing Director Ernst Tiedeman.

Further information can be obtained from:
Ernst Tiedemann, Managing Director, FORCE Technology
Tel: +45 43 26 72 46

Stig Sand, Division Chief
Tel: +45 72 15 77 87

Peter Justesen, Head of Section
Tel: +45 72 15 77 61