LUMUT NAVAL BASE, MALAYSIA, Thursday, 21 September 2017 – Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has concluded Bilateral Exercise code named ‘HORNBILL 26/2017’. The exercise was conducted from the 18th to the 21st September 2017 where both navies have successfully met the objectives of the exercise throughout the four days exercise.
In this year series, this year’s exercise was run on a Command Post Exercise (CPX) concept utilising the Action Speed Tactical Trainer (ASTT) at the Maritime Tactical Centre (PUSTAKMAR) had been utilised. Command teams from both navies have managed to enhance interoperability and capacity through a high level of commitment in planning and execution of combined naval operation. This has also provided opportunities for Command Teams from both navies to interact and cooperate in operations planning and also the conduct maritime procedures and tactics in accordance to the Hornbill Exercise Training Instruction (HEXTIS).
The exercise had been officially closed by Commander Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, Fleet Commander Royal Brunei Navy which took place at the Auditorium Zain, PUSTAKMAR. Present during the closing ceremony were Vice Admiral Dato Seri Panglima Mohamad Roslan bin Mohamad Ramli, Western Fleet Commander RMN, senior officers from the RMN, all exercise participants from both RBN and RMN. Following the closing of the exercise, the Royal Brunei Navy Fleet Commander have also deactivated the Task Group 26.1.
Prior to the Closing Ceremony, the Royal Brunei Navy Fleet Commander had also made a Courtesy Call to the Western Fleet Commander RMN and was also given the opportunity to visit some of the facilities within Lumut Naval Base including KD LEKIR.
Exercise HORNBILL has continued to be one of the platforms in strengthening the long-standing ties between the RMN and RBN, Overall, Exercise HORNBILL has enhanced the defence relationship between Brunei and Malaysia and has significantly boosted the level of interoperability and readiness between the RBN and RMN.
