Saturday, September 26, 2009

Brunei, Singapore Conduct Land Warfare Exercise

Defense News

03/09/08

Brunei, Singapore Conduct Land Warfare Exercise

By Wendell Minnick

TAIPEI - The Singapore Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) participated in a joint urban warfare exercise in Brunei from March 2 to March 9, involving infantry and armor elements from the 3rd Singapore Infantry Battalion and the 3rd RBLF Battalion.

Begun in 1995, Exercise Maju Bersama ("Progress Together"), a battalion maneuver exercise, is one of several annual bilateral training exercises between the two countries going back 20 years. The others include the Airguard (air defense artillery exercise), Bold Castle (combat engineer exercise), Bold Sabre (armor exercise), Flaming Arrow (infantry exercise), Dragonball (live fire infantry exercise), and Pelican (naval exercise).

"Such bilateral exercises enhance mutual understanding, improve professionalism and strengthen the bonds between the two Armies," said a Singapore Ministry of National Defense press release.

Singapore's Chief of Army Maj. Gen. Neo Kian Hong and Commander Royal Brunei Land Force Col. Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Rosli Bin Pengiran Haji Chuchu officiated at the closing ceremony. In an unusual twist, both militaries participated in golfing and bowling tournaments.

Singapore also has two training bases, including one for jungle warfare training, in Brunei.