The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) are conducting a biennial bilateral exercise codenamed Exercise Eagle from 16 to 25 January 2008. Inaugurated in 1974, this year's Exercise Eagle is an important milestone as it marks the 20th in the series. RSN Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Ng Chee Peng and TNI-AL Western Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Agus Suhartono officiated at the Opening Ceremony of Exercise Eagle at the Changi Naval Base yesterday.

This year's exercise involves a total of six ships, with one missile corvette, one missile gun-boat and one anti-submarine patrol vessel from the RSN, and one missile corvette and two fast attack craft from the TNI-AL. One maritime patrol aircraft from each navy will also be participating in the exercise. A series of shore activities, which includes cultural and sporting events, have also been planned to further strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies.

The RSN and TNI-AL have a long history of close and mutually beneficial cooperation, including long-standing bilateral arrangements such as the Indonesia-Singapore Coordinated Patrols, which were established in 1992 to combat sea robberies in the Singapore Strait. These exercises and interactions enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies and underscore the close defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia.

FACT SHEET

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EXERCISE EAGLE

Exercise EAGLE is one of the many professional interactions between the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL). This bilateral exercise was inaugurated in 1974 and has since grown in scope and complexity. From Ex EAGLE, the RSN's interactions with the TNI-AL has expanded and we now work closely with the TNI-AL in many other areas, including the Indonesia-Singapore Co-ordinated Patrols (ISCP), which was established in 1992 to combat sea robberies in the Singapore Straits. Exercises and interactions such as these have enhanced the interoperability and mutual understanding between the RSN and the TNI-AL, thus allowing both sides to establish very robust ties and strong friendship.

History

The first exercise was held in 1974. Exercise serials were basic, comprising Sea Tactical Manoeuvres, Surface Firing and Seamanship evolutions such as heaving lines transfer.

GROWTH OF EXERCISE EAGLE

Exercise EAGLE has grown over the years. Besides the Combined Surface Firing serial first held in 1974, the bilateral exercise in subsequent years also featured the Anti-Air Towed Target Shoot (AATTS) firing serials, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Naval Gunfire Firing Shoot serials. The introduction of more complex exercise serials has enabled both navies to build a greater degree of interoperability that has been instrumental in enabling the RSN and the TNI-AL to work effectively together in combined operations at sea, such as in the humanitarian and disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

Involvement of Air Assets

Over the years, Exercise EAGLE had moved beyond just the participation of Navy assets to include air assets as well. To reflect the growing intricacies of modern day warfare, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from both navies also took part in the exercise. The introduction of aerial surveillance assets have enabled Ex EAGLE to include more complex two-sided encounter exercises at sea.

Signing of the Exercise Procedure Document (EXPRODOC)

To codify the procedures established in earlier exercises and to further enhance the interoperability of the two navies, the Exercise Procedure Document (EXPRODOC) was signed in 1985. The EXPRODOC is a document that stipulates all the exercise requirements for each serial so as to improve the mutual understanding between the two navies during Exercise EAGLE.

Introduction of Shore Training at the Tactical Training Centre

To maximise the value of the exercise at sea, shore training at the Tactical Training Centre (TTC) was introduced. Shore training at the TTC enabled the RSN and the TNI-AL exercise participants to evaluate their exercise plans and procedures in the TTC before the sea phase. Furthermore, TTC sessions also allow for a more engaging and interactive session for senior commanders from both navies to share their professional knowledge and learn from one another.

Ex EAGLE Today

Over three decades, Ex EAGLE has gradually evolved from basic seamanship serials and sea manoeuvres in 1974 to incorporate modern and multi-dimensional warfare encompassing anti-subsurface, anti-surface and anti-air warfare serials in today's exercises. Ex EAGLE 20/08, to be held from 16 to 25 Jan 08, continues to feature Anti-submarine Warfare, Surface Firing serials and Day Encounter Exercise among many other serials.

Overall, the mutual understanding forged over the past decades of co-operation through the EAGLE-series of exercises has enabled the RSN and the TNI-AL to work closely together in many areas, from co-ordinated patrols in the Singapore Strait to combined clearance efforts of World War II mines in Indonesia. These operations, enabled through the trust and interoperability built up between the RSN and the TNI-AL have helped to make the waters around Singapore and Indonesia safer. The ability to work side by side is also evident in contingency operations. During the search and recovery of MI-185 (the Silkair aircraft that crashed into the Musi River in Palembang in 1997) and in the humanitarian and disaster relief efforts in Aceh following the 2004 tsunami disaster, the TNI-AL and the RSN worked alongside each other, shoulder to shoulder.

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