MUARA NAVAL BASE, Monday, 17 October 2016 – TODAY marked an important milestone for both Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Indonesian Navy (IDN) as both navies signed the First Revision of Exercise HELANG LAUT Standard Exercise Procedure (HELSEP) since it was first produced in 1994.
The signing ceremony for the 1st Revised HELSEP was conducted by Commander Spry bin Haji Seruji @ Haji Serudi, RBN Fleet Commander representing RBN and IDN was represented by First Admiral Dadi Hartanto, Commandant of Sea Battle Task Force Eastern Fleet, IDN. The ceremony was witnessed by the Commander of RBN, First Admiral Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad at the RBN Headquarter.
Meanwhile, the Opening Ceremony was held at the Multi-National Coordination Center (MNCC) with an opening speech by Commander Spry, entailing the objective of the exercise that is to enhance interoperability and sharing best practices between both navies. First Admiral Dadi, highlighted the significance of professionalism and competency between both navies in working together.
The RBN and IDN will be conducting the bilateral exercise in Negara Brunei Darussalam from 16 to 22 October 2016. The exercise codenamed HELANG LAUT is the seventeenth series between the two navies hosted by the RBN.
The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the relationship and enhance mutual co-operation and understanding through the development of common operational doctrines, procedures and tactics. The exercise is also aimed to provide personnel from both navies with the experience of working together. Some of the main exercises to be conducted will be Night Encounter Exercises, Surface Firing Exercise, Maritime Interdiction Operation Exercise as well as sports interactions.
A total of four ships from both navies namely, KRI USMAN HARUN, KRI TERAPANG, KDB DARUTTAQWA and KDB BERKAT will be participating, whereas the RBN Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG) will be participating in the Maritime Interdiction Operation Exercise.
The Commander Task Group for this year’s exercise is Commander Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin, Commanding Officer KDB DARUTTAQWA from the RBN and Captain Alan Dahlan, Commanding Officer KRI USMAN HARUN as the Deputy Commander Task Group.
The bilateral exercise also consisted of a Courtesy Call and Curry Lunch. A Cocktail Reception is expected to be held on-board KRI USMAN HARUN this Friday.
