Singapore and Brunei Celebrate 50 Years of Defence Ties with Joint Parade
Singapore and Brunei marked 50 years of bilateral defence ties on Oct 10 with a joint military parade at Muara Naval Base featuring 256 personnel and operational assets from both nations. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attended the milestone event, which highlighted half a century of military cooperation across land, naval, and air forces.
Joint Parade and Military Assets at Muara Naval Base
The Oct 10 parade showcased operational assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). The display included a sail-past by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy, alongside a fly-past of two Republic of Singapore Air Force H225M medium-lift helicopters and three RBAF S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. Prime Minister Wong and the Sultan also launched and toured a commemorative gallery documenting five decades of bilateral defence milestones.
The anniversary events form part of a year-long series of bilateral exercises across all three military services. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) noted that these exercises build on formal defence relations established in 1976, though bilateral ties stretch back to the formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in 1961 and the SAF in 1965. Retired Lieutenant-General Winston Choo, Singapore’s first Chief of Defence Force, trained alongside early RBAF leaders, laying foundational professional and personal ties that MINDEF states have endured across generations.
Naval and Air Force Cooperation Across Exercises
Maritime cooperation was further reinforced through the 44th edition of Exercise Pelican, held from Oct 2 to 6 at Muara Naval Base. The flagship naval exercise involved the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Naval Diving Unit and MSRV Protector, alongside the Royal Brunei Navy’s Maritime Special Operations Squadron and patrol vessels including KDB AS-SIDDIQ and KDB DARULEHSAN. Both navies conducted the inaugural Underwater Demolition Range Demonstration on Oct 8.
In the air domain, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Royal Brunei Air Force launched Exercise Vanguard on Oct 1. This new overarching bilateral framework incorporates Exercise Airguard alongside two new training components for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The framework builds on interpersonal bonds forged during joint training, such as those shared by air defence commanders LTC Chia and Lt Col (U) Adif, who bonded over professional challenges and local food during bilateral exercises.
PM Wong Inspects SAF Training and Vehicle Delivery in Brunei
Prime Minister Wong’s visit to Brunei also included inspecting SAF personnel training in Temburong, Brunei’s easternmost district. During the trip, he witnessed the delivery of four Light Fire Attack Vehicles—known as Red Rhinos—customized by Singapore firm Hope Technik for the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department. The visit follows Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah’s official trip to Singapore, which concluded on Oct 2.
Bilateral engagement extends beyond defence into broader economic and diplomatic areas. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Brunei in July for the Sultan’s 80th birthday, where both nations committed to exploring cooperation in energy, food security, and supply chain resilience. In 2027, Singapore and Brunei will mark the 60th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement.
The year-long Golden Jubilee commemoration will culminate in a closing dinner hosted by Brunei in Singapore on Nov 21.