Singapore and Indonesian Armies Conduct Bilateral Exercise

Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh handing over the SAFKAR torch to Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Army General (GEN) Pramono Edhie Wibowo to mark the opening of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2011.

The Singapore and Indonesian armies are conducting their annual bilateral exercise code-named Safkar Indopura from 1 to 12 Dec 2011. Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Army (TNI-AD), General Pramono Edhie Wibowo officiated at the opening ceremony of the exercise at Amoy Quee Camp this morning. Hosted by Singapore, this year's exercise is the 23rd in its series.

About 400 personnel from Headquarters 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade and 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment will take part in the exercise with 200 personnel from the 6th Infantry Brigade, KOSTRAD (Strategic Reserve Command), TNI-AD. The 12-day exercise will include professional exchanges, urban operations and live-firing training, and culminate in a combined full-troop exercise.

MG Ravinder Singh (3rd from left) and GEN Wibowo (2nd from left) viewing a static display.

The regular conduct of Exercise Safkar Indopura underscores the excellent defence relations between the Singapore and Indonesian armies. Besides the bilateral exercises, both armies also engage in other professional exchanges and cross-attendance of professional courses. These regular interactions have served to enhance the close ties and foster mutual understanding between their personnel.

Singapore Ministry of Defense