Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit Brunei Darussalam from Oct 9 to 10 as the two countries commemorate five decades of defence cooperation, highlighting a longstanding partnership built on military training, professional exchanges and close bilateral ties.
During the visit, Wong will meet Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and attend a joint parade at Muara Naval Base on Oct 10. The event will feature personnel and operational assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The two leaders are also scheduled to launch a commemorative gallery showcasing key milestones in the defence relationship since it was established in 1976.
Five Decades of Military Cooperation
Singapore and Brunei have maintained close defence ties through regular joint exercises, military visits, professional exchanges and training opportunities. These engagements help both armed forces strengthen interoperability and build trust among personnel.
The anniversary comes amid continued efforts to expand cooperation across different military capabilities. Earlier in October, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and Royal Brunei Air Force launched Exercise Vanguard, a new framework that brings together existing air-defence training and introduces additional cooperation in helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle training.
Singapore Personnel Continue Training in Brunei
Wong is also expected to visit Singapore Armed Forces personnel training in Temburong, where he will speak with them about their experiences.
Brunei has long provided a training environment for Singapore’s armed forces, making military cooperation an important part of the broader relationship between the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
Beyond defence, the visit will include a handover involving four light fire attack vehicles developed by Singapore company HOPE Technik and customised for Brunei’s operational requirements. The vehicles will be delivered to Brunei’s Fire and Rescue Department.
A Partnership Looking Ahead
The anniversary celebrations come shortly after Brunei’s Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah completed an official visit to Singapore in early October. During that visit, he met Singapore leaders and visited facilities including SAFTI City, where he observed military training demonstrations.
The two countries have also continued discussions on areas of shared interest, including economic cooperation, food security and digital development.
Wong’s visit underscores the importance both governments place on sustaining their longstanding relationship as regional security and economic conditions continue to evolve.
