THE Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) are currently conducting a naval exercise codenamed ‘Exercise Hornbill 25/15’ in the Brunei and Malaysian waters.
The 25th series of bilateral exercise focuses on Warfare and Maritime Interdiction Operations with ongoing maritime security issues as well as seamanship evolutions. Exercise Hornbill is an annual exercise, alternately hosted by Brunei and Malaysia.
Four ships are involved in the seven-day exercise – two from the RBN, namely KDB Daruttaqwa and KDB Syafaat, and two from the RMN, KD Kelantan and KD Jerong.
The exercise comprises three phases – Harbour phase, Sea phase and Post exercise phase. From November 13 – 16, the exercise was in the Harbour phase in Brunei.
The exercise is currently in the Sea phase (until November 19) within the waterways of Brunei and Sabah. The Post exercise phase will run from November 19 to 20 at the Royal Malaysian Navy Base in Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Exercise Hornbill aims to enhance force interoperability between both navies as well as to foster good working relations through the practice of standing standard operating procedures.
Exercise Hornbill aims to enhance force interoperability between both navies as well as to foster good working relations
Royal Brunei Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy officials listening to a speech
The opening ceremony of Exercise Hornbill 25/15 was launched on November 13 by Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar bin Yahya, Commander of Naval Region 2 at the Multi-National Coordination Centre in Muara, in the presence of the RBN Fleet Commander, Commander Pengiran Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Damit and senior officers from both the RBN and RMN.
The task group for the exercise is headed by Commander Nor Ariffin bin Haji Mohd Ali, RBN and he is deputised by Commander Kamarulzaman bin Zainul Akhmar, RMN.
The RBN delegation, led by Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar bin Yahya, Commander Naval Region 2, Commander Kamarulzaman bin Zainul Akhmar, Commander Officer of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, CDR Jamallul Shafri bin Mohd Shukor, Commander Officer of KD Kelantan and Lt CDR Yusman bin Darmawan, Commanding Officer of KD Jerong, also made a courtesy call to the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad at the Royal Brunei Navy headquarters upon their arrival in Brunei.
To further build on established friendship, participants of both navies will have the opportunity to interact informally through various sporting and social events.
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