Inaugurated in 1980, this year's Exercise Elang Indopura is an important milestone as it marks the 30th year of the biennial exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). The exercise, which has since grown in scope and complexity, aims to enhance the interoperability and mutual understanding between the RSAF and the TNI-AU, and remains a cornerstone of the warm and friendly relationship between the two air forces.

Growth of Exercise Elang IndopuraThe first instalment of the exercise was hosted by the TNI-AU in June 1980 at Iswahyudi Air Base, Madiun, Indonesia, and saw the participation of six Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft, a Bell-212 helicopter, two Skyvan light aircraft and a C-130 transport aircraft from the RSAF. They were joined by four F-86 Sabre fighter aircraft, an F-27 Fokker transport aircraft, an AS-330 Puma helicopter and a Cessna-402 light aircraft from the TNI-AU. The exercise scenarios that were carried out included joint missions on air surveillance, air-to-ground targeting, medical evacuation, search and rescue as well as logistics air drop procedures.
During the first ten yearsof the exercise, the RSAF and the TNI-AU worked closely to plan and validate their operating procedures that contribute to building a strong foundation for future exercises. As the two air forces developed their capabilities, newer aircraft were employed in subsequent exercises. The A-4 Skyhawk fighter aircraft from both the RSAF and TNI-AU were introduced during the third instalment of the exercise, and the RSAF F-5 fighter aircraft also participated for the first time in 1986.

As the RSAF and the TNI-AU moved into their second decade of cooperation in the Exercise Elang Indopura series, the RSAF E-2C was introduced in 1990 to enhance the air surveillance capabilities of the exercise. The joint air mission scenarios further evolved to include ship-strike missions. In addition, more advanced facilities and equipment were used to support the exercise.

Recent instalments of Exercise Elang Indopura have seen the participation of more technologically-advanced aircraft, such as the TNI-AU's F-16A/B fighter aircraft in 2008, as well as the RSAF's F-16C/D fighter aircraft in 2010.

Exercise Elang Indopura 2010Exercise Elang Indopura 2010 consists of a Command Post Exercise phase conducted from 20 to 21 Oct 2010 at Changi Command and Control Centre in Singapore, and an Air Manoeuvre Exercise, which is being conducted from 26 Nov to 10 Dec 2010 at Ngurah Rai Air Base in Bali, Indonesia. This year's exercise involved more than 350 personnel and 13 aircraft from the two air forces. The RSAF is participating in the exercise with four F-16 and four F-5 fighter aircraft, and they are joined by five F-16 fighter aircraft from the TNI-AU. This is the first time the RSAF is participating in the exercise with RSAF F-16 aircraft. The two air forces will conduct mission and threat oriented training for strike and escort roles. The Mission Oriented Training comprises a joint strike mission involving 12 aircraft.

The trust and interoperability forged over the past decades of cooperation between the two air forces have contributed to the warm and friendly ties between the Singapore Armed Forces(SAF) and the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI). Today, the SAF and TNI conduct regular bilateral air, land and sea exercises, and also engage in other professional exchanges. These bilateral exercises and interactions have strengthened the mutual understanding and friendship between the personnel of the two armed forces.

Joint socio-civic programmeAs part of their contributions to the local community, the RSAF and TNI-AU began a joint socio-civic programme during the 10th Exercise Elang Indopura in 1998, where personnel jointly distributed food packages and provided medical aid to about 1,000 families staying around the SIABU Air Weapons Range in Pekan Baru, Indonesia. The socio-civic component of Exercise Elang Indopura has also helped to further strengthen the camaraderie between personnel from the two air forces. This year's exercise also included a one-day joint socio-civic programme, which saw RSAF and TNI-AU personnel providing basic health and dental care to the local community in Ngurah Rai.