His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (unofficially as the King of Malaysia), graciously attended the final demonstration and closing ceremony of Exercise Jungle Falcon Series 1/2023 between the Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia; TDM) and the United Arab Emirates Land Forces (UAELF) in Kuantan, Pahang. The ceremony took place at a palm plantation in Felda Panching Selatan. Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness the Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and YAM Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah. The event was also attended by Minister of Defence YB Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan, Chief of Defence Force YBhg. General Tan Sri Affendi Buang, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eisa Saif Al Mazrouei, and Pahang Chief Minister Dato’ Sri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
In his capacity as the supreme commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, His Majesty agreed to witness a military demonstration by the TDM and UAELF, showcasing their strategy of capturing the enemy using TDM’s military assets. His Majesty emphasized that this exercise is a testament to the strong brotherly relationship between Malaysia and the UAE. It not only presents an opportunity to share knowledge and skills but also allows the UAELF to gain experience operating in tropical climates. Expressing his hopes, His Royal Highness wished for this training to leave a lasting impression and for everyone involved to take pride in its successful execution, despite taking place in a palm oil plantation instead of a forest. His Majesty extended his appreciation and gratitude to the 4 Brigade (Mechanized) and expressed his desire to maintain the good relations between the two countries. Thee importance of fostering friendly relations with all officers and members of the TDM and UAELF who participated in the exercise.
The Joint Military Exercise – Jungle Falcon, involving units from the UAE and the Malaysian Army in Malaysia, aims to enhance cooperation and joint coordination while improving combat readiness and professionalism in carrying out tasks. This exercise is part of the field forces‘ plans and programs with sister and friendly nations’ forces, facilitating the exchange of experiences and strengthening military cooperation in joint operations, ultimately enhancing the competence of the Armed Forces. The Jungle Falcon exercise stands as a significant accomplishment for the TDM, fulfilling the military understanding established by the TDM leadership with the UAELF in Abu Dhabi on October 31 of the previous year. The exercise also provides an opportunity for the TDM to share skills, experience, and knowledge with the UAELF’s strategic military partners in conventional warfare. Previously, the TDM and UAELF conducted a bilateral exercise called Desert Tiger Exercise Series 6/2023 at Al Hamra Combat Training Center in Abu Dhabi from February 8 to 27, 2023.
