Indonesia-Singapore Army Exercise Spotlights 50th Anniversary
By Prashanth Parameswaran
November 22, 2017



On November 20, the armies of Indonesia and Singapore commemorated 50 years of bilateral relations at the closing ceremony of a bilateral exercise. The celebrations once again put the spotlight on the ongoing anniversary of the relationship as well as the continued defense ties both countries continue to maintain in spite of remaining challenges.

As I have pointed out before in these pages, the security relationship between Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest state, and Singapore, the subregion’s smallest, has tended to be prickly historically speaking. It took nearly a year for Indonesia to even officially recognize Singapore’s independence from Malaysia following Jakarta’s violent opposition to the creation of Malaysia, known as Konfrontasi. Over the past few years, disagreements have tended to simmer from time to time, whether around traditional issues such as air space or non-traditional security matters like the annual haze problem, even as both sides have tried to manage differences

Nonetheless, the two countries have still maintained a cordial defense relationship that includes the usual components, including visits, exchanges, and exercises, and some of these have been in the spotlight this year more so than usual as both sides commemorate the 50th anniversary of their relationship this year, which is being marked with the tagline of “RISING 50” (“RI” for the Republic of Indonesia, and “SING” for Singapore). One of the interactions between the two sides is Exercise Safkar Indopura, the flagship annual exercise between infantries from both armies first held back in 1989.

On November 13, the two sides kicked off the 29th iteration of the exercise, which will officially last through November 24. The exercise featured various interactions including urban operations training, live-firing, a planning exercise, and the conduct of a combined battalion field exercise.It also saw for the first time the joint operation of the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank by soldiers from both armies in what was considered an expansion of the bilateral exchange between them. Around 300 personnel from Singapore and 170 personnel from Indonesia participated in the exercise, according to Singapore’s defense ministry (MINDEF).

Both sides also commemorated the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations at the closing ceremony of the exercise on November 20, MINDEF said in a statement. The ceremony, which was co-officiated by the army chiefs from both countries, saw personnel from the two armies forming the number “50” on parade. They had also been set to execute a combined jump into the Murai Urban Training Facility during the closing ceremony as well.

https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/indo...h-anniversary/

Combined Singapore-Indonesia troops and tanks capture urban area in flagship exercise
PUBLISHED NOV 20, 2017


Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks, jointly operated by soldiers from both the SAF and TNI-AD, entering the combat zone, during Exercise Safkar Indopura, on Nov 20, 2017. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

SINGAPORE - Under heavy enemy fire, more than 400 Singapore and Indonesian troops fought together, storming and capturing a series of buildings in quick succession, clearing the area for two Leopard tanks to roll in.

The combined field battalion exercise at Murai Urban Training Facility near Lim Chu Kang on Monday (Nov 20) was the culmination of the annual flagship exercise between the two infantries.

Four Leopard Main Battle Tanks took part for the first time in this year's Exercise Safkar Indopura, marking a deepening of defence cooperation between both sides. These tanks added to the complexity of the mission, and allowed the crew from different armies to exchange knowledge.

They included two that were operated by combined crews of four men each. Exercise Safkar Indopura, held annually since 1989, began on Nov 13 this year.



To mark 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries this year, a combined jump from 3,000m, with two lead jumpers, each carrying his national flag, was planned for the exercise's closing ceremony, but was cancelled as dark clouds formed.

Despite the gloomy weather, the ceremony, officiated by Chief of Army Melvyn Ong and TNI-AD Chief of Staff Mulyono, carried on, with the troops forming the number "50" on parade.



Calling the exercise the "cornerstone of the interactions between TNI-AD and the Singapore Army", Major-General Ong said the frequent bilateral interactions over the past 50 years have shown a high level of mutual trust between both countries.

He added: "This is not a relationship of chance. It's only through the willingness and initiative of both nations that we are able to take a long-term approach and work towards achieving our collective goals."

To demonstrate the close defence cooperation between the two armies, the troops fought alongside each other under a combined headquarters helmed by two exercise directors - one from each side.

A total of 474 infantry and armour soldiers were involved in Safkar Indopura this year - 300 personnel from the Singapore Army and 174 from the TNI-AD.



Other than the field exercise, planning exercises, urban operations training and live-firing were also conducted.

Maj-Gen Ong noted that it was the first time Singapore had trained with soldiers from a foreign military in a leopard tank, adding that it was a clear indication of the mutual trust and understanding both sides have developed over the years.

Major Medi Haryo Wibowo, 38, commanding officer of TNI-AD's 312th Infantry Battalion, said: "The exercise was excellent because our troops from both armies can share knowledge, and have mutual respect and understanding."

On his experience training with the Indonesians, section commander 3SG Muhammad Abdul Rahman, 19, said: "I was very impressed by their aggressiveness in battle. Some of them really shouted and made sure that every one of their men knew what to do - I could hear the shouts from far away."



http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...gship-exercise