Malaysian Air Force Chief Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore

The Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) General (GEN) Dato Sri' Affendi bin Buang called on Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung this afternoon. GEN Affendi, who is in Singapore for his introductory visit from 17 to 19 April 2017, also called on Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim and Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan, and inspected a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence this morning. As part of his programme, GEN Affendi visited Paya Lebar Air Base today where he received a brief on the operational capabilities of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s Air Combat Command and viewed the F-15SG fighter aircraft on static display.

GEN Affendi's visit underscores the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia. Regular interactions between the RSAF and the RMAF, through professional exchanges, courses and multilateral exercises, including those under the ambit of the FPDA, have enhanced mutual understanding and cooperation between both air forces. The RSAF and the RMAF conducted fighter land-aways[1] at each other's air bases during the recent FPDA Exercise Bersama Lima in October 2016. The RSAF and the RMAF, together with the air forces of Indonesia and Thailand, also conduct the Eyes-in-the-Sky combined maritime air patrols to enhance maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

([1] Fighter land-aways refer to the cross deployment of fighter aircraft between the bases of the two air forces, where personnel would conduct professional exchanges without any overnight stay.)