Singapore, Indonesia air forces mark 45 years of defence ties with Exercise Elang Indopura
RSAF and TNI AU F-16 aircraft conducting air-to-air refuelling with RSAF's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Elang Indopura. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
SINGAPORE – The air forces of Singapore and Indonesia are marking 45 years of defence relations with a joint exercise in Indonesia starting this week that involves more than 100 personnel.
The biennial Exercise Elang Indopura is taking place from May 13 to 26 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, conducted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU).
More than 100 personnel from both sides, as well as four RSAF F-16C/D, one RSAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and two TNI AU F-16 aircraft, are participating in the two-week event, Mindef said in a statement on May 16.
As part of the exercise, the F-16 fighter jets from both air forces conducted air-to-air refuelling with the A330 MRTT, and joint air-to-ground training at the Siabu Air Weapons Range in Indonesia.
RSAF's exercise director, Colonel Jonavan Ang, said: 'The training exercise brings our aircrew and ground crew together to develop operational competencies, as well as strengthen the camaraderie amongst our people. It is an invaluable experience for all the participants, and I look forward to many such opportunities to deepen our bilateral cooperation.'
Exercise Elang Indopura , which was inaugurated in 1980 , serves as an important platform to enhance the professionalism, cooperation and mutual trust between the two air forces, said Mindef.
Aside from the training exercises, the RSAF and TNI AU also engage regularly in activities like cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges and reciprocal visits.
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