Singapore and Indonesia navies conclude Exercise Eagle Indopura

The navies of Singapore and Indonesia have concluded a week-long bilateral exercise, named Eagle Indopura.

The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) assets that participated in the exercise include the Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast, a Victory-class missile corvette RSS Vigour, and an Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Justice.

Eagle Indopura also included the Indonesian Navy’s (TNI AL) Diponegoro-class frigate KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, a Fatahillah-class missile corvette KRI Fatahillah and a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.

The exercise is the Singapore Armed Forces’ longest-running bilateral exercise and this year began with an opening ceremony on 18 July in Surabaya.

Concluding on 25 July, this marked the 25th edition of Exercise Eagle Indopura, which involved three phases.

The first is a harbour phase held in Surabaya, Indonesia, followed by a sea phase in the Java Sea, Karimata Strait and Singapore Strait, and the post-exercise shore phase in Singapore.

RSN fleet commander rear-admiral Aaron Beng said: “The RSN and TNI AL have a long and deep history of cooperation. I am certain that we will continue to grow and deepen these bilateral interactions in the years to come. This will enable both our navies to cooperate and tackle future challenges.”

During the sea phase, RSN and TNI AL personnel conducted a series of advanced anti-surface and anti-air naval warfare serials.

The navies also worked together for a simulated scenario during maritime security drills.

The forces tackled a simulated terrorist attack on commercial shipping passing through the Singapore Strait.

The operation was carried out in response to alerts generated by the RSN’s Information Fusion Centre Real-time Information-sharing System (IRIS).

Exercises such as Eagle Indopura are designed to enhance the relationship between personnel, the Singapore Ministry of Defence said.