The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) have concluded their bilateral flagship naval exercise, Exercise Pelican, off the waters of Brunei.
The RSN’s Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Intrepid with naval helicopter and RBN’s two Darussalam-class patrol vessels, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman, carried out several naval exercises, including manoeuvring exercises, gunnery firings and helicopter operations.
During the drill, the RBN carried out its first helo deck landing exercise with RSN as part of efforts to boost its capability.
RSS Intrepid commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Beng said: "The complexity of Exercise Pelican has grown over the years.
"This has continued in this year’s exercise as our navies work towards deepening interoperability with each other."
Aimed at emphasising the strong and longstanding defence ties between Singapore and Brunei, Exercise Pelican was established in 1979 and is claimed to boost the professionalism and interoperability between the navies of both nations.
In addition to participating in Exercise Pelican, the RSN and RBN also work together regularly through a variety of activities, such as professional exchange programmes, which are claimed to strengthen the bonds between the personnel of both navies.
Image: RSN’s RSS Intrepid (far right) with RBN’s KDB Darulaman (left) and KDB Darussalam (centre) during the exercise. Photo: courtesy of the Singapore Government.
