Singapore, Brunei mark 50 years of defence ties with joint military parade

Singapore and Brunei commemorated 50 years of defense ties with a joint parade at the Muara Naval Base on October 10. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attended the event, which featured 256 personnel and assets from both countries' military branches. The parade included a sail-past and fly-past by naval and air forces, with participants having previously taken part in bilateral exercises.

Singapore's Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Chief of Defence Force Vice-Admiral Aaron Beng, and Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (MG) (Ret) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi Bin Haji Mohd Yussof, were among the other guests. Prime Minister Wong emphasized the deep value Singapore placed on their friendship with Brunei.

Following the parade, Wong and the Sultan toured a commemorative gallery showcasing milestones in the 50-year defense relationship. Wong also met with SAF personnel training in Temburong. This parade marks the climax of an annual series of activities celebrating the Golden Jubilee, including bilateral exercises aimed at further strengthening the defense relationship.

Both countries will work to identify new areas of cooperation and strengthen ties for future generations. Singapore and Brunei reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in July when Lee visited Brunei for the Sultan's 80th birthday celebrations. They also highlighted plans to explore ways to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including energy, food security, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two nations will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement in 2027, which permits the use of both countries' currencies interchangeably.