SINGAPORE AND BRUNEI ARMIES MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BILATERAL EXERCISE

More than 700 soldiers from the 3^rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 Gds), and the 2nd Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces (2 RBLF) took part in Exercise Maju Bersama from 13 to 24 Apr, in Brunei.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral exercise which started in 1995, and underscores the close and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Brunei.

During the exercise, the troops carried out a series of jungle warfare missions that included assault, ambush, as well as search and destroy.

The Guardsmen operated as part of the Bruneian battalion. For the final mission, a platoon from 2 RBLF was attached to the Singapore troops.

Such training enabled both armies to enhance their interoperability.

Said Captain (CPT) Nadzri Hussan, Officer Commanding of Alpha Company, 3 Gds: "We were able to understand from the Bruneians how their company do their ambushes, and how their battalion as a whole give their orders to the companies."

Newly-appointed Second Minister for Defence Lui Tuck Yew and Bruneian Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat visited the troops participating in Exercise Maju Bersama on 23 Apr.