BOLKIAH GARRISON, Wednesday, 06 November 2019 – In conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Exercise PELICAN between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Defence and His Excellency Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore observed the exercise on-board RSS TENACIOUS and KDB DARUSSALAM today.
The sea phase of Exercise PELICAN, which started yesterday, featured Cross-Deck Helicopter Operations, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operations, Over The Horizon Targeting (OTHT), Tactical Firing, Sail Pass and Tactical Manoeuvres.
Both ministers were airlifted from the Air Movement Centre, Royal Brunei Air Force (AMC RBAirF) this morning to the RSS TENACIOUS via the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Super Puma Helicopter to witness UAV Operations and the OTHT exercise conducted amongst all participating ships led by the RSS TENACIOUS. Upon completion, both ministers proceeded to board the KDB DARUSSALAM and oversaw the Tactical Firing Exercise. Before returning ashore, both ministers also had the opportunity to review the Sail Pass and a Ceremonial Salute from all participating personnel onboard ships before returning to the RBAirF base via the RBAirF’s S70i Blackhawk Helicopter.
A total of six ships from RBN and RSN – the KDB DARUSSALAM, KDB DARULEHSAN, KDB DARULAMAN, RSS TENACIOUS, RSS VALOUR and RSS VIGOUR – three (3) helicopters – the RSAF’s Super Puma Helicopter and two of the RBAirF’s S70i Blackhawks – and a ScanEagle UAV from the RSN took part in this year’s exercise, giving the opportunity to conduct more dynamic exercise evolutions.
Prior to the exercise observation, His Excellency Dr Ng called on the Second Minister of Defence at the Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison. Upon his arrival, His Excellency Dr Ng was accorded with a Guard of Honour comprising of personnel from the Third Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF).
Also present during the call were Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brigadier General (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
During the call, both sides expressed satisfaction with the close bilateral relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore that has manifested through various platforms and levels including a regular exchange of visits, dialogues, meetings, exercises, trainings, courses, attachments, exhibitions as well as development and interaction programmes.
In particular, this year’s Exercise PELICAN reflects the continuity of strong military ties between both countries. Exercise PELICAN was established in 1979 with the aim to improve the professionalism and interoperability between the navies of both nations. This year’s exercise will close today and the RSN ships will be departing Brunei on 7 November 2019.
