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Singapore and Indonesia Mark 30 Years of Exercise Elang Indopura
8 December 2010
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and Indonesian Minister of Defence Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro visited Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) personnel participating in Exercise Elang Indopura 2010 at Ngurah Rai Air Base, Bali, today. The 16th in the series of biennial exercises, this year marks the 30th year of the bilateral exercise since it started in 1980. During the visit, Mr Teo and Dr Purnomo witnessed the launch of the Exercise Elang Indopura Commemorative Book, toured the air base and participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.
This year's exercise involved more than 350 personnel and 13 aircraft from the two air forces, and was conducted in two phases: a Command Post Exercise held from 20 to 21 Oct 2010 at the Changi Command and Control Centre in Singapore, and an Air Manoeuvre Exercise from 26 Nov to 10 Dec 2010 at Ngurah Rai Air Base. 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. During the exercise, personnel from both air forces also took part in a one-day joint socio-civic programme, where they provided basic health and dental care to the local community in Ngurah Rai.
Reaffirming the close bilateral ties between the two air forces, Chief of Air Force, Major-General Ng Chee Meng, said: "Exercise Elang Indopura, which has grown in scale and complexity since its inauguration in 1980, has enhanced the professionalism and interoperability between the RSAF and the TNI-AU. I am confident that this exercise will remain a cornerstone of our warm and friendly relationship." Agreeing with his RSAF's counterpart, the Chief of Staff of the TNI-AU, Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat said: "Exercise Elang Indopura serves as an important platform to foster mutual understanding and broaden cooperation among past and present exercise participants, thereby strengthening our mutually beneficial bilateral ties."
Mr Teo also called on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after his visit to Exercise Elang Indopura. As part of his official visit to Indonesia, Mr Teo will also be meeting other Indonesian leaders in Jakarta and visiting the Indonesia Defence University, where he will be delivering a speech. The warm and friendly ties between the Singapore and Indonesian defence establishments are marked by the conduct of regular bilateral exercises and professional exchanges, which have strengthened the mutual understanding and friendship between the two armed forces.
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