Singapore and Indonesian Armies Conduct Bilateral Exercise Virtually
The Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) have successfully conducted the 32nd edition of their flagship bilateral exercise, Exercise Safkar Indopura, which took place from 30 November to 3 December 2020 over video conference. Commander 3rd Singapore Division Brigadier-General Frederick Choo and Commander 3rd Military Area Command/Siliwangi Major-General Nugroho Budi Wiryanto co-officiated the virtual closing ceremony.
The four-day brigade-level virtual exercise involved participants from Headquarters 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade and 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment from the Singapore Army, and from 15th Infantry Brigade and 310th Raider Battalion from the TNI-AD. The exercise provided opportunities for both armies to build stronger bonds and strengthen mutual understanding through a series of professional exchanges and knowledge sharing centred on COVID-19 management. This culminated in a table-top exercise where the exercise participants worked together to develop a joint response to a disease outbreak scenario.
Commander 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade Colonel Wong Shi Ming, who led the Singapore delegation, said, “Exercise Safkar Indopura is a valuable opportunity for us to deepen friendships and build mutual understanding between the Singapore Army and the TNI-AD. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we are glad that we could leverage technology to continue holding the exercise this year, which provided useful learning lessons for both armies to strengthen our coordination in managing pandemics.”
First conducted in 1989, Exercise Safkar Indopura underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia. In addition to the exercise, the Singapore Army and the TNI-AD have continued to conduct professional exchanges and dialogues virtually amidst COVID-19. Such interactions have enhanced the professionalism of both armies and helped foster stronger people-to-people ties.
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