Held from 2 to 11 Jul, Commandos from the 1st Commando Battalion participated in Exercise Chandrapura (XCP) in Batujajar, Bandung. The exercise involved the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Commandos and Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Special Forces Command (KOPASSUS) engaging in cross-training for urban operations and included activities such as Close Quarter Battle, live-firing, physical training and rappelling. 

First conducted in 1994, this year's exercise is the 26th in the series and it also marked Singapore's 52nd year of bilateral relations with Indonesia. This year, about 80 SAF Commandos and TNI KOPASSUS troops were involved in the exercise.

During the exercise, our Commandos had the chance to conduct live firing using the Pindad Senapan Serbu 2 (SS2), the signature weapon of the TNI KOPASSUS. 

Our Commandos learning to use the Pindad SS2 from the TNI KOPASSUS.

As shared by 2LT Jovian Low, the experience of handling a different weapon was a good lesson in adaptability. "It is a good experience for us to quickly learn how to use an iron sight on the SS2, compared to the scope that we are used to on the Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century (SAR21)." 

Soldiers from TNI KOPASSUS learning to fire the SAR21 from our soldiers.

The TNI KOPASSUS also had a chance to try their hand at firing the SAR21. "It's good that both sides are exposed to each other's arsenal. We have much to learn from each other", remarked 2LT Jovian.

The XCP troops also participated in a joint rappelling session, using the KOPASSUS rappelling wall facility. "It was quite interesting to observe the different styles of rappelling from both forces. I was initially nervous about conducting rappelling in a new environment but we managed to learn quickly." said 2SG Yang Rui.

Our Commandos participating in the rappelling session with TNI KOPASSUS.
 

2LT Jovian Low was one of those who relished the opportunity to train with the TNI KOPASSUS. He shared, "The troops here are all Regulars, and it is very inspiring to see their drive and commitment to their jobs as soldiers. They are all highly skilled and very friendly towards us."

The exercise ended with a field training exercise – a mission culminating in the simultaneous storming of a small facility by the Commandos and TNI KOPASSUS, as well as a live demolition of a nearby antenna tower using C4 charges. 

Both forces conducting a pre-dawn attack on the objective.

CPL Aravind recounted, "During the mission we got to see how the KOPASSUS move in the field, keeping a low profile during the movement phase and assaulting the objective aggressively during the attack." 

Our Commandos in action during the Close Quarter Battle training.

The strong support from the TNI KOPASSUS bears testament to the warm and established defence ties between Singapore and Indonesia. Besides bilateral exercises, both armed forces also interact through a wide range of activities such as professional exchanges, visits and courses. 

Check out our Facebook album about the exercise here!

For Honour and Glory!

Contributed by: 1st Commando Battalion