Ex Eagle Indopura: Singapore and Indonesian Navies Commemorate Over Four Decades of Bilateral Ties

(Anti-clockwise from left, foreground) The TNI-AL's Diponegoro-class corvette, KRI Sultan Hasanuddin; RSN's Formidable-class frigate, RSS Tenacious; TNI-AL's Diponegoro-class corvette, KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda; and RSN's Fearless-class Patrol Vessel, RSS Gallant participating in the sea phase of Exercise Eagle Indopura 2016.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) conducted their flagship bilateral exercise, Exercise Eagle Indopura, from 29 February to 4 March 2016 in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia. RSN Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong and TNI-AL Western Fleet Commander RADM Achmad Taufiqoerrachman officiated the opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base on 29 February. In conjunction with this year's exercise, the two navies celebrated more than four decades of strong cooperation with commemorative activities held in Jakarta, attended by Singapore's Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han, TNI-AL Chief-of-Staff Admiral Ade Supandi, and senior officials from both navies. During the closing ceremony yesterday, both navies also signed a revised exercise document to enhance interoperability.

Exercise Eagle Indopura, which featured anti-surface and anti-air warfare, as well as maritime security operations, aims to enhance the interoperability and professionalism of both navies. This year's exercise involved an RSN Formidable-class frigate, RSS Tenacious, and a Fearless-class Patrol Vessel, RSS Gallant. The TNI-AL participated with two Diponegoro-class corvettes, KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda and KRI Sultan Hasanuddin; two Fast Patrol Vessels, KRI Lemadang-632 and KRI Barakuda-633; a Landing Ship Tank, KRI Teluk Bintuni-520; a Maritime Patrol Aircraft and helicopters. Both navies also deployed naval divers for the exercise.

Exercise Eagle Indopura, which was previously named Exercise Eagle, is the Singapore Armed Forces' longest-running bilateral exercise with a foreign military, having been held since 1974. The exercise has been renamed to reflect its increasing complexity, while preserving its long history and tradition.

The successful conduct of Exercise Eagle Indopura 2016 underscores the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Indonesia. The RSN and TNI-AL conduct regular professional exchanges, exercises and visits, and also collaborate through the bilateral socio-civic programme Indo-Sin Bhakti Sosial and the multilateral Malacca Strait Patrols. These regular interactions have enhanced the close ties and mutual understanding between the personnel of both navies.

RSN Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong (right) and TNI-AL Western Fleet Commander RADM Achmad Taufiqoerrachman at the opening ceremony of Exercise Eagle Indopura 2016 on 29 February 2016.

RADM Taufiqoerrachman and RADM Lew signing the 4th Edition Revised Exercise Procedure Document in Jakarta, Indonesia on 4 March 2016, as Singapore's Chief of Navy RADM Lai Chung Han (far right) watched on.