Brunei and Singapore Conduct Pelican Exercises

13 Juli 2011

RSS Stalwart (photo : Keypublishing)

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) conducted the bilateral Exercise Pelican from July 10-13 in Brunei waters.

The RSN participated with a Formidable-class stealth frigate (RSS Stalwart), while the RBN joined the exercise with a new Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel (KDB 07 Darulehsan) and two Itjihad-class corvettes (KDB 19 Syafaat and KDB 17 Itjihad).

Brunei took delivery of three new German-built Lurssen Werft Darussalam-class vessels this year. Each are armed with a Bofors 57mm in the 'A' position along with four Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles.

Brunei also took delivery of four Lurssen Werft-built Itjihad-class corvettes in 2010. They are armed with a single Rheinmetall MLG 27 Gun in the 'A' position.

KDB Darulehsan (photo : Helwin Scharn)

The RSN's anti-terrorist Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT), responsible for safeguarding chemical and gas tankers, also took part in the exercise and conducted joint boarding training with personnel from RBN.

ASSeT members are trained in close quarter combat and Hapkido, a Korean marital art. In addition, both navies carried out joint discussions on naval helicopter operations and warfare tactics.

Hosted by Brunei, Exercise Pelican 2011 is the 31st in this series of bilateral exercises held since 1979. The exercise underscores the close defense ties between RSN and RBN.

The two navies also engage in a wide range of bilateral exercises and professional exchanges, which have enhanced the professionalism and strengthened ties between them.

Brunei just concluded its third Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) from July 6-9. Organized by the Royal Brunei Technical Services, BRIDEX 2011 showcased the latest regional and international defense technologies and equipment in land, sea, air and security systems.

(DefenseNews)