Singapore and Indonesian Armies Conduct Flagship Bilateral Exercise in Indonesia

Group photo of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) soldiers at the opening ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2024.

The 36th edition of Exercise Safkar Indopura (XSI), the annual flagship exercise between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD), was successfully conducted in Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia from 2 to 11 September 2024. The SAF’s Chief of Army Major-General (MG) David Neo and the TNI-AD’s Chief of Staff (KASAD) General (GEN) Maruli Simanjuntak co-officiated the opening ceremony on 2 September 2024. The SAF's Commander, 3rd Singapore Division (3 Div) Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian and the TNI-AD’s Commander, Army Strategic Reserve Command (PANGKOSTRAD) Lieutenant General (LT GEN) Mohamad Hasan co-officiated the closing ceremony earlier today.

This year’s exercise featured approximately 200 personnel from the SAF’s Headquarters 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (HQ 3 SIB) and 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (5 SIR), and the TNI-AD’s 2nd Infantry Division (DIVIF 2), 6th Mechanised Infantry Raider Brigade (BRIGIF Mekanis Raider 6), and 411th Mechanised Infantry Raider Battalion (YONIF Mekanis Raider 411) from the Army Strategic Reserve Command (KOSTRAD). Eleven medical personnel from Headquarters Army Medical Services (HQ AMS) and Headquarters Military Medicine Institute (HQ MMI) also partnered the TNI-AD to provide basic medical and dental services as part of the Community Assistance Programme.

The flagship bilateral exercise provided an excellent opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen relationships through professional exchanges. The ten-day exercise this year focused on contingency operations drills such as patrols, cross-training in jungle survival and tactical combat casualty management, and small arms live firing with the service rifles of both Armies. The exercise culminated in a battalion-level field training exercise at Mount Merbabu Training Area.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, BG Cai highlighted the significance of the exercise and added that Singapore and Indonesia, as close neighbours, face similar security threats in an increasingly competitive world. Exercise Safkar Indopura is crucial for strengthening ties between the two countries. By working together, Singapore and Indonesia demonstrated their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in ASEAN.

First conducted in 1989, Exercise Safkar Indopura underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia. Both countries engage in a diverse range of bilateral activities, including exercises, official visits, professional exchanges, and cross-attendance at courses. These collaborative efforts have bolstered cooperation and helped foster strong interpersonal connections between the two armed forces.

The SAF’s Chief of Army Major-General David Neo and the Chief of Staff of the TNI-AD (KASAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak co-officiated the opening ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2024.

Soldiers from the SAF and TNI-AD conducted a terrain analysis and mission walk through.

Soldiers from the SAF and TNI-AD participated in a hands-on weapon exchange.

The SAF’s Commander, 3rd Singapore Division Brigadier-General Cai Dexian and TNI-AD’s Commander, Army Strategic Reserve Command (PANGKOSTRAD) Lieutenant-General Mohamad Hasan inspected the SAF and TNI-AD troops during the closing ceremony.