Singapore and Indonesia Strengthen Bilateral Defence Ties through 37th Edition of Exercise Safkar Indopura

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) at the closing ceremony for Exercise Safkar Indopura (XSI) 2025 held in SAFTI City earlier today.

Commander 3rd Singapore Division Colonel Chong Shi Hao of the Singapore Army and Commander, Army Strategic Reserve Command (PANGKOSTRAD) Lieutenant General (LG TNI) Mohammad Fadjar of the TNI-AD co-officiated the closing ceremony of XSI 2025.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army introducing the Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century (SAR 21) to TNI-AD soldiers during a live-firing familiarisation training at the Multi-Mission Range Complex (MMRC).

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and the TNI-AD participating in a Combined FTX in SAFTI City, marking the first time XSI has been conducted at this facility.

The 37th edition of Exercise Safkar Indopura (XSI), an annual bilateral exercise between the Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD), was successfully conducted in Singapore from 8 to 15 October 2025. The Singapore Army's Commander 3rd Singapore Division (3 DIV) Colonel (COL) Chong Shi Hao and the TNI-AD’s Commander Army Strategic Reserve Command (PANGKOSTRAD) Lieutenant General (LG TNI) Mohammad Fadjar co-officiated the closing ceremony of the flagship exercise earlier today.

Approximately 450 personnel from the Singapore Army's Headquarters 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (HQ 3 SIB), 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), HQ Signals, 48th Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) and 38th Battalion Singapore Combat Engineers (38 SCE) participated in the exercise with over 100 personnel from the TNI-AD's 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).

The exercise offered both armies a valuable opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding through professional exchanges, covering urban operations and planning processes, cross-training, and combined arms missions featuring Leopard 2 Armoured Engineer Vehicles (L2-AEV), Terrex Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and drones. This year's iteration also included scenarios to exercise cyber defence capabilities and culminated in a battalion-level field training exercise (FTX) at SAFTI City. This was the first time XSI has been conducted at this facility and also the Singapore Army’s first bilateral training with an ASEAN member state at SAFTI City. Beyond professional exchanges, XSI also enabled both armies to foster closer relationships through cultural exchanges, cohesion, and sports.

At the closing ceremony, COL Chong emphasised the importance of the exercise and said, “Since its inception, XSI has grown in scale and complexity. We have seen it evolve from a map-planning exercise to a battalion field training exercise in 1996 and later incorporating combined arms elements and cross-training on contingency operations in 2024. Notably (this year), we incorporated cyber scenarios into our digital planning process… saw operational planning for the employment of drones, as well as the integration of effects across multiple domains. This exercise has been a key platform to enhance mutual cooperation, trust and shared understanding between our two armies.”

LG TNI Mohammad Fadjar added, “This exercise not only strengthens military interoperability and professionalism, but also makes a significant contribution to maintaining security, stability, and harmony in defence relations across the Southeast Asian region. It highlights how diversity can serve as a powerful tool to enhance professionalism and foster deeper cooperation. Through intensive interactions, we build stronger communication, trust, understanding, and mutual respect. The true essence of joint exercises lies in forging a brotherhood in arms - one that stands the test of time and changing circumstances."

Inaugurated in 1989, XSI 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 courses. These collaborative efforts have bolstered cooperation and helped foster strong interpersonal connections between the Singapore Army and the TNI-AD.