Background

The Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) enjoy close and long-standing relations, built upon a strong foundation of mutual trust and close cooperation. Both armies participate in a wide range of activities such as bilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses. 

Key Engagements between Singapore Army and TNI-AD in 2017

Exercise Safkar Indopura is the flagship exercise between infantries from the two armies. First conducted in 1989, the 29th edition of Exercise Safkar Indopura was held in Singapore from 13 November 2017 and will conclude on 24 November 2017, with the closing ceremony held on 20 November 2017. This year's exercise included training on the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks, an expansion of the bilateral professional exchanges between the two armies.

Another series, Exercise Chandrapura, involves personnel from the Singapore Army's Commandos and the Indonesian National Defence Forces Special Forces Command. First held in 1994, the 24th edition focused on cross-training for urban operations, including Close Quarter Battle live-firing, fast-roping and rappelling, successfully conducted in Indonesia from 11 to 19 July 2017.

More recently, from 11 to 13 October 2017, the graduates from the TNI-AD Command and Staff College (SESKOAD) visited Singapore and the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College. The Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Melvyn Ong also visited SESKOAD and addressed the current cohort of students, which included one SAF officer, on 7 November 2017. Singapore Army and TNI-AD personnel started cross-attending the SESKOAD and Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKSCSC) courses in 1969 and 1984 respectively. The alumnus of SESKOAD included MG Ong, who attended SESKOAD's Command and Staff Course in 2005. The senior leadership of both armies also interact regularly through bilateral meetings and mutual visits to further cooperation in various areas.

Commemoration of 'RISING50' during Exercise Safkar Indopura

To commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Indonesia ('RISING 50'), Singapore Army and TNI-AD soldiers will execute a combined jump into the Murai Urban Training Facility during the closing ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura on 20 November 2017. Soldiers from both armies will also form the number “50” on parade. In preparation for the closing ceremony, jumpers from both armies will be conducting rehearsal jumps in the Lim Chu Kang training area from 16 to 18 November 2017.