REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Exercise PELICAN is a flagship bilateral naval exercise between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) aimed at enhancing interoperability and maritime coordination. It was established in 1979 and has been held annually ever since to strengthen cooperation, mutual understanding, and interoperability between the two navies.

Exercise PELICAN structured into two (2) phases:

Harbour Phase (Planning Phase):

  • Joint planning conferences and briefings
  • Communications alignment and SOP harmonisation
  • Professional exchanges and scenario planning

Sea Phase (Operational Phase):

  • Tactical manoeuvres and formation exercises
  • Communications drills
  • Maritime security operations and encounter exercises
  • Search and Rescue (SAR), VBSS, and other serials

Across decades, the exercise has evolved from basic bilateral seamanship training into a structured harbour-sea exercise that builds trust, shared procedures, and operational interoperability between RBN and RSN.

  • 1979: Establishment The exercise was launched to build basic naval professionalism and interoperability between Singapore and Brunei
  • 2003: 25th Silver Jubilee By 2003, the exercise had reached its 25th iteration, marking a quarter-century of continuous naval partnership.
  • 2014: Increased Complexity The exercise shifted towards more complex operations, including the first-ever helicopter deck landing by an RBN helicopter on an RSN ship.
  • 2019: 40th Anniversary The 38th edition coincided with the 40th anniversary of the exercise’s founding, focusing on advanced maritime security.
  • 2024: Advanced Warfare Scenarios The 42nd iteration (Exercise Pelican 42/24) utilized the Naval Tactical Trainer (NTT) for sophisticated Anti-Surface (ASuW) and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) simulations.
  • 2025: Inaugural Participations The 43rd edition, held in September 2025 at Muara Naval Base, featured the inaugural participation of Brunei’s Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG) alongside Singapore’s Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels

Navy-to-Navy Talks (NTNT) is a bilateral engagement platform between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) that facilitates regular dialogue on maritime security, operations, and future collaboration.

It serves as a professional forum where staff officers and planners from both navies:

  • Exchange views on evolving maritime security challenges
  • Discuss operational cooperation and interoperability
  • Explore future areas of collaboration
  • Review lessons from recent exercises and operations

NTNT with RSN enhances mutual understanding and aligns maritime cooperation, contributing to stronger bilateral defence ties and improved coordination in regional waters.

First Navy-to-Navy Talks (NTNT) Is Naval working group (NWG) Was established in 1979, Aims to enhance mutual cooperation, and interoperability between the two navies. Since its humble beginnings involving basic seamanship and maneuvering, it has evolved into complex naval warfare exercise including gunnery firing, air defense, and anti-submarine operations. Beyond the physical drills, the relationship is maintained to Navy-to-Navy Talks (NTNT), professional exchanges, and port calls to deepen people-to-people ties. Latest iteration the 43rd edition of exercise pelican concluded in September 2025, focusing on domain sharing and conventional warfare exchanges. The latest Navy to Navy Talks was the 13th Navy-to-Navy Talks was held in Singapore from 07 December at the officer`s mess Royal Brunei Navy. The next series of NTNT will be hosted by RSN this year.

Introductory  Visits are conducted to establish personal rapport, reaffirm bilateral naval relations, and align strategic priorities between newly appointed Chiefs of Navy. These visits provide an opportunity to discuss maritime security cooperation, ongoing exercises, and future areas of engagement.

RSN Chief of Navy to Brunei (Latest):

Rear Admiral Sean Wat, Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy, conducted an Introductory Visit to Brunei Darussalam on 12–15 January 2026, calling on the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy and senior defense leadership.

RBN Commander to Singapore (Most Recent):

The Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy conducted an Introductory Visit to Singapore on 29 March – 1 April 2022, meeting the RSN Chief of Navy and senior Singapore Armed Forces officials.

These visits sustain high-level naval engagement and reinforce long-standing cooperation between both navies.

The two ex-Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fearless-class patrol vessels — formerly RSS Brave and RSS Gallant — were gifted by the RSN to the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) as a symbol of close defense cooperation. RSS Brave was handed over on 15 March 2023, becoming KDB AS-SIDDIQ, and RSS Gallant was handed over on 2 October 2023, becoming KDB AL-FARUQ.

Before entering service, RBN personnel were sent to Singapore for training with the RSN on vessel operations, engineering, firefighting, casualty evacuation, and other essential shipboard skills starting late-December 2022.

Upon completion of training and successful handovers, the vessels were brought to Brunei.

  • KDB AS-SIDDIQ was commissioned on 21 March 2023 at Muara Naval Base in a ceremony graced by His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
  • KDB AL-FARUQ was commissioned on 13 December 2023, with the ceremony officiated by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

These additions to the RBN fleet have strengthened Brunei’s maritime patrol and security capability while reflecting enduring maritime cooperation between Brunei and Singapore.

The International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) is a biennial international maritime defense exhibition held in Singapore, bringing together navies, defense leaders, and industry partners to showcase naval technologies and strengthen maritime cooperation.

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) participates by deploying a naval vessel to participate in the Sea Phase (SEAPHASE) of IMDEX, while a ground delegation comprising senior officers attends for associated engagements.

Most recently, RBN deployed KDB DARUSSALAM to participate in IMDEX Asia 2025, following the deployment of KDB

DARULEHSAN for IMDEX Asia in 2023, reaffirming RBN’s continued commitment to regional maritime cooperation. The first imdex was held in 1997.

International Liaison Officers (ILO) are naval officers from partner navies, including the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), posted to the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) in Singapore to support real-time information sharing, coordination, and maritime domain awareness in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Through the IFC, ILOs contribute to:

Maritime security information sharing and fusion Timely coordination on incidents and emerging maritime threats Enhanced regional situational awareness and cooperation. The ILO/IFC arrangement strengthens operational connectivity between RBN and regional partners, supporting collective maritime security efforts. IFC was established in 2009 and first personnel is Captain Azrin in 2014.

Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) is a multinational naval task force established on 12 January 2009 under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy and armed robbery at sea, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and adjacent waters where piracy threatened global shipping lanes. It operates alongside other international efforts such as the European Union’s Operation Atalanta and NATO- led patrols, contributing to regional and global maritime security.

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has contributed to CTF 151 as part of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) contingent’s command team and multinational coalitions during counter-piracy operations. One officially documented instance occurred in 2018, when Lieutenant Mohd Akramin bin Alidin from the RBN served with CTF 151 under the Singapore Armed Forces’ command team. During this deployment in the Gulf of Aden from 5 August to 27 September 2018, the task force coordinated counter-piracy patrols in partnership with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and other participating navies to help protect merchant shipping and uphold the rule of law at sea.

CTF 151’s mission revolves around multinational cooperation against piracy best practices, surveillance, maritime interdiction, and operational coordination among participating nations. The task force rotates command among contributing countries every few months, with Singapore having assumed command multiple times, including in 2011 and 2016 as part of RSN’s leadership roles within the CMF framework. These commands often include personnel from coalition partners such as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and Brunei as part of the multinational staff contributing to operations. The involvement of RBN personnel in CTF 151 highlights Brunei’s commitment to international maritime security cooperation beyond its own littoral waters. Through participation in combined patrols and intelligence exchange under the CMF’s strategic counter-piracy efforts, RBN enhances its operational experience, interoperability with partner navies and contributes to ensuring freedom of navigation on key global shipping routes. Latest Participation by RBN Officers in CTF 151 Operations. 05 Aug – 27 Sept 2018. Attended by Lt Cdr Mohd Akramin bin Haji Alidin, RBN join the operations as BWC (RSN HQ Team – N2 Cell).

Senior Warrant Exchange Program provides a dedicated platform for senior non-commissioned officers of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) to exchange views on leadership, discipline, training, and personnel development.

The engagement focuses on:

  • Sharing best practices in senior enlisted leadership
  • Discussing personnel welfare, training standards, and professional development
  • Strengthening role of warrant officers and senior rates as the backbone of naval leadership
  • Enhancing mutual understanding at the tactical and unit leadership level
  • This engagement reinforces strong the leadership culture and supports operational effectiveness across both navies.

The most recent iteration of the senior enlisted engagement was held in Brunei in August 2025. During that programme: The RBN delegation visited multiple RSN facilities, including the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), Damage Control Training Centre, Navy Museum, Fleet Headquarters, Ministry of Defence Singapore, and the Naval Diving Unit.

25-29August 2025 led by Master Chief Navy Senior Warrant Officer Seck Wai Kong of the RSN and Warrant Officer 1 Mohammad Nasri bin Ladis, the RBN Sergeant Major.

The event involved senior warrant officers and senior enlisted leaders exchanging professional perspectives on training, leadership, and operational practices.

Established on 27 April 2009, the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) is a regional Maritime Security (MARSEC) center hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The IFC aims to facilitate information sharing and collaboration between its partners to enhance MARSEC.

Since its inception, the IFC has been at the forefront of providing actionable information to cue responses by regional and international navies, coast guards and other maritime agencies to deal with the full range of MARSEC threats and incidents.

The current RBN ILO is Lt Cdr Mohammad Haziq @ Ahmad bin Mohammad Ali, RBN.

Previous IFC:-

  • 25 Mar 2014 – 30 Sep 2014: Maj (L) Mohamad Azrin bin Haji Mahmud.
  • 30 Sept 2014-31 Mac 2015: Cpt (L) Sagifulaulia bin Hj Abdul Samad.
  • 01 Apr 2015 – 30 Sept 2015: Cpt (L) Malek Fadillah bin PDJLD Kol DSP Hj Kefli.
  • 30 Sept 2015– 31 Sept 2016: Lt Muhd Hazman Isam bin Haji Abd Rahman, RBN.
  • 31 Sept 2016-31 Mac 2017: Lt Dk Lyadia Ulandari binti Pg Hj Muhammad, RBN.
  • 24 Feb 2017 – 01 March 2018: Lt Norlaila binti Awg Harlip, RBN
  • Mar 2018 – 29 Feb 2020: Lt Ahmad Zubair bin Abd Nasir, RBN.
  • Mar 2020 – Feb 2021. Lt Qurratu’aini Qayyimah binti Dr Al-Haj Zelzy, RBN.
  • Feb 2021 – Feb 2022. Lt Nurshafiqah Sheha Binti Mustapa, RBN.
  • Feb 2022 – Feb 2023. LT Muhammad Danial bin Matyussof, RBN.
  • Feb 2023- Apr 2024. Lt Cdr Mohammad Haziq @ Ahmad bin Mohammad Ali, RBN.
  • 21 Apr 2024- 20 Apr 2025. Lt Muhammad Abqari bin Haji Emran, RBN.
  • Apr 2025- Now. Lt Muhammad Afifi bin Awang Haji Ahmad, RBN.