Singapore, RI hold military exercise

Tue, 03/25/2008 11:20 AM  |  National

JAKARTA: Singaporean and Indonesian air forces on Monday began a two-day joint exercise to measure their maritime surveillance capabilities in the international sea lane between Sumatra and Kalimantan.

During the first day of the exercise, the Indonesia Air Force deployed a Boeing-737 marine patrol aircraft from Hasanuddin Airbase, while the Royal Singapore Air Force flew two Fokker-50 surveillance planes.

Called "Operation Camar Indopura", the joint exercise aims to improve the two air forces' capability in maritime border security and search and rescue operations. The exercise is also expected to help the two countries address illegal logging and fishing, spokesman for the Indonesian Air Force Commodore Chaerudin Ray said.

The governments of Indonesia and Singapore signed a defense cooperation agreement last year, but the treaty has been hanging in the balance due to the House of Representatives' refusal to ratify it. -- JP

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