S'PORE AND INDONESIAN NAVIES CONDUCT BILATERAL EXERCISE

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) conducted a bilateral exercise, codenamed Exercise Eagle, with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), from 28 Jul to 5 Aug. This year's exercise, the 21st in the series, comprised shore and sea phases held in Singapore and Surabaya, Indonesia.

Four ships and two maritime patrol aircraft from both navies were involved in Exercise Eagle 2010, which marked the first time an RSN Formidable-class frigate and a Diponegoro-class corvette from the TNI AL took part in the exercise. The sea phase saw both navies conducting a series of training exercises such as anti-surface warfare, maritime interdiction and search and rescue operations. In addition, RSN and TNI AL personnel interacted in cultural and sporting events to strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies.

RSN Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral Joseph Leong and TNI AL Eastern Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral Bambang Suwarto attended the closing ceremony held in Surabaya on 5 Aug.

The RSN's participation in Exercise Eagle since 1974 underscores the excellent defence ties between the two navies, which have a long history of close and mutually beneficial cooperation. They interact regularly through exercises and professional exchanges, and worked together recently in a socio-civic programme, codenamed Surya Bhaskara Jaya, that ended on 3 Aug.