The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) conducted the 26th edition of Exercise Eagle Indopura from 13 to 21 September 2021. The exercise was planned virtually followed by a contactless sea phase in Indonesian waters. The RSN deployed a Formidable-class Frigate RSS Tenacious, an Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Justice and a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, while the TNI AL participated with a Diponegoro-class Corvette KRI Diponegoro with a Panther helicopter embarked, a Fatahillah-class Corvette KRI Malahayati and a NC 212 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Commanding Officer of RSS Tenacious, Lieutenant Colonel Tung Wanling highlighted the importance of the long-standing bilateral exercise in enhancing understanding between both the Singapore and Indonesian navies. She said, “The exercise allowed us to deepen our shared knowledge, and bolster strong and enduring defence relations. It provided an opportunity for us to work and learn from one another, to enhance our cooperation and strengthen the understanding between our sailors.”
Held since 1974, Exercise Eagle Indopura is the Singapore Armed Forces’ longest-running bilateral exercise with a foreign military. The successful conduct of Exercise Eagle Indopura underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence relations between both navies. It is also a reflection of the professional interactions and exchanges that have continued between the militaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to their deployment, all SAF personnel, who have been fully vaccinated, have undergone pre-departure isolation and tested negative for COVID-19.
During the exercise, both navies executed a series of naval serials including gunnery firings, communication and manoeuvring drills, as well as a search-and-rescue exercise. Modelled after real-time maritime security operations, the participating ships were also tasked by their respective operation centres to track the movement of simulated vessels of interest cued by alerts from the RSN’s Information Fusion Centre. The exercise concluded with a sail-past of the participating ships.
