Singapore and Indonesian Navies Conclude Bilateral Mine-Countermeasure Exercise

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Mine-countermeasure Vessels (MCMV) RSS Punggol and RSS Bedok (left and right, respectively) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL)'s MCMVs KRI Pulau Rupat and Pulau Rengat (centre front and back, respectively) participating in the Joint Minex Pandu. Credit: TNI AL

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) concluded Joint Minex Pandu today. Held in Singapore, Batam and the waters off Bintan from 11 to 16 August 2022, the bilateral mine-countermeasure (MCM) and clearance diving exercise enhanced the two navies' ability to counter underwater threats together.

This year's exercise saw the participation of more than 230 personnel from the RSN and the TNI AL. The RSN participated in the exercise with two Bedok-class Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), RSS Bedok and RSS Punggol, and personnel from the Naval Diving Unit, while the TNI AL participated with two Pulau Rengat-class MCMVs, KRI Pulau Rengat and KRI Pulau Rupat, and a dive team. The exercise comprised table-top planning exercises, professional exchanges on mine-hunting and clearance diving techniques, joint MCM operations against simulated mine threats, diving and boarding operations, and live gunnery firing.

Deputy Commander Maritime Security Command / Maritime Security Task Force, Colonel (COL) Rinson Chua and TNI AL Commander of Sea Combat Task Group, 1st Fleet Command, First-Admiral Hudiarto Krisno Utomo officiated at the opening ceremony at RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base on 11 Aug 2022. In his opening remarks, COL Chua said, "Indonesia and Singapore are both maritime nations. We are close neighbours, and share a common maritime border. Our ships meet each other at sea every day. Our continued commitment to this important bilateral exercise, and the increase in scope and complexity of the exercise, is testament to the deep level of trust and collaboration between both of our navies."

The RSN and TNI AL conduct regular professional exchanges, exercises and visits, and also collaborate through the multilateral Malacca Straits Patrol. The RSN's other bilateral exercise with the TNI AL, Exercise Eagle Indopura, is the Singapore Armed Forces' longest-running bilateral exercise with a foreign military. These activities underscore the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Indonesia.

RSN Deputy Commander Maritime Security Command / Maritime Security Task Force Colonel Rinson Chua (left) and TNI AL Commander of Sea Combat Task Group, 1st Fleet Command, First-Admiral Hudiarto Krisno Utomo (right) co-officiating at the opening ceremony.

A RSN personnel providing a brief to TNI AL and RSN personnel prior to a joint boarding exercise on board MV Swift Rescue.