Singapore and Brunei marked 50 years of defence cooperation with a joint military parade at the Muara Naval Base in Brunei on October 10. The event celebrated the longstanding relationship between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The parade featured 256 personnel and operational assets from the land, naval, and air forces of both countries. Highlights included a sail-past by the Republic of Singapore Navy and Royal Brunei Navy, alongside a fly-past involving two H225M medium-lift helicopters from Singapore’s air force and three S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Brunei.
The ceremony was attended by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Other dignitaries present included Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Chief of Defence Force Aaron Beng, Brunei’s Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Ret) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi Bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszmi bin Bol Hasan.
Many of the personnel participating in the parade had previously engaged in bilateral training exercises, underscoring the operational collaboration between the two forces. Prime Minister Wong emphasized the significance of this cooperation, noting the parade brought together personnel and assets from the army, navy, and air force. He described the event as a reflection of the strong bonds forged over the past five decades through consistent training and joint operations.
Following the parade, Prime Minister Wong and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah inaugurated and toured a commemorative gallery showcasing key milestones in the defence relationship spanning 50 years. The Singaporean leader also visited SAF personnel undergoing training in Temburong, interacting with servicemen to learn more about their experiences.
The parade is part of a series of activities slated throughout the year to observe the Golden Jubilee of defence ties between Singapore and Brunei. These include bilateral exercises designed to reinforce their commitment to strengthening the partnership. The commemorations are scheduled to conclude with a closing dinner hosted by Brunei in Singapore on November 21.
Looking ahead, both countries aim to build on five decades of mutual trust and close collaboration. Singapore’s Ministry of Defence highlighted plans to explore new areas for cooperation and create opportunities for successive generations of military personnel to deepen their ties.
Prime Minister Wong’s visit to Brunei follows recent high-level exchanges between the two nations. About a week prior, Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah concluded an official visit to Singapore on October 2. Earlier in July, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to bilateral relations while attending the Sultan’s 80th birthday celebrations in Brunei.