Singapore and Brunei Navies Conclude the 40th Edition of Flagship Bilateral Exercise Pelican

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fleet Commander, Rear-Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat delivering his opening address during the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican at RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base (CNB) on 3 Oct 2022.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) have concluded the 40th edition of Exercise Pelican – a flagship bilateral exercise between the two navies. Held from 3 to 8 October 2022, this year's exercise involved the RSN's Formidable-class frigate RSS Formidable and Victory-class missile corvette RSS Vigilance, and the RBN's Darussalam-class patrol vessel KDB Darussalam and Ijtihad-class fast patrol boat KDB Syafaat. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also deployed a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and two F-16 fighter aircraft, where the F-16s participated in Exercise Pelican for the first time.

On 3 Oct 2022, RSN Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Sean Wat and RBN Fleet Commander Captain Khairil Haji Abdul Rahman co-officiated the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican at RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base (CNB), where they also jointly unveiled the 40th edition Exercise Pelican commemorative logo. In his opening remarks, RADM Wat said, "Pelican has indeed come a long way. Since its inception in 1979, the exercise has evolved significantly. What's started from humble beginnings with basic seamanship and manoeuvring serials, we now regularly conduct advanced evolutions…Both navies have derived good value from Exercise Pelican, and the exercise has remained a cornerstone of our bilateral relations."

Commenting on the significance of Exercise Pelican during the commemorative dinner, Captain Khairil said, "Ex Pelican to me is a living proof of RBN and RSN's relationship and remarkable friendship. Exercise Pelican has evolved to a complex warfare serial, in which this year for the series of Exercise Pelican will include for the first time, the participation of F-16 fighters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force… The RBN would like to thank the RSN for hosting Exercise Pelican this year…We should also not forget our predecessors who had made and created this platform for us to cherish. We are carrying and continuing their legacy and it is up to us now to bring the level of exercise a notch higher."

Personnel from the RSN and the RBN conducted joint planning and professional exchanges ashore at CNB from 3 to 5 October. During the sea phase from 6 to 7 October, both navies executed a range of serials, including gunnery firing, air defence, manoeuvring and communication drills within international waters in the southern reaches of the South China Sea. The exercise concluded with an exercise debrief in CNB on 8 October.

Established in 1979, Exercise Pelican underscores the close and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Brunei. The annual exercise enhances mutual cooperation, understanding and interoperability between the RSN and RBN. Besides Exercise Pelican, the RSN and the RBN also interact regularly through a range of activities, including visits and professional exchange programmes. These interactions have reinforced the strong bonds between the personnel from both navies.

RADM Wat (left) and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Fleet Commander Captain Khairil Haji Abdul Rahman (right) co-officiated the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican and jointly unveiled the 40th edition commemorative logo.

Personnel from the RSN, RBN and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducting simulation training at the Naval Tactical Trainer in CNB for the inaugural air defence serial at sea.

RSN and RBN ships sailing together during Exercise Pelican. KDB Syafaat, KDB Darussalam, RSS Formidable (left to right) as seen from RSS Vigilance.

RSS Formidable conducting gunnery firing.