Singapore and Indonesian Navies Conclude Bilateral Mine-Countermeasure Exercise

Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Mine-countermeasure Vessel (MCMV) RSS Punggol (background) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL)'s MCMV KRI Pulau Fandilo (foreground) conducting manoeuvring exercises during the sea phase of Exercise Joint Minex Pandu 2024.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) concluded Exercise Joint Minex Pandu today. Held in Batam and the waters off Bintan from 14 to 19 May 2024, 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 Fani-class Minehunters, KRI Pulau Fani and KRI Pulau Fanildo, and a dive team. The exercise comprised professional exchanges on mine-hunting, clearance diving techniques and ship-boarding, as well as coordinated MCM operations against simulated mine threats, diving operations, and live gunnery firing.  

TNI AL 4th Batam Main Naval Base Commander, First-Admiral Tjatur Soniarto and Deputy Commander MSTF, Colonel (COL) Chan Yeng Seng, Michael-John, officiated at the opening ceremony at the 4th Batam Main Naval Base on 14 May 2024. In his opening remarks, COL Chan said, "The strong bilateral friendship between TNI AL and the RSN is certainly not limited to this exercise. Our navies engage each other in many areas and across multiple levels. It is through the many years of working closely together, and strong friendships that we have built, that allow us to have a high level of mutual trust and interoperability."

The RSN and TNI AL conduct regular professional exchanges, exercises and visits, and also collaborate through the Coordinated Patrol Indonesia-Singapore (CORPAT INDOSIN). 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.

Deputy Commander MSTF COL Chan Yeng Seng, Michael-John (6th from left) and Commander, Main Naval Base IV (Batam) First Admiral Tjatur Soniarto (5th from left) with personnel from both navies at the opening ceremony.

RSN personnel conducting preparations for the clearance diving operations during Exercise Joint Minex Pandu 2024.