Singapore, Indonesia complete first joint fighter air patrol along border

The air forces of Singapore and Indonesia completed their first-ever joint fighter air patrol on Wednesday (Nov 4).

Codenamed Paktor Indopuram, two F-16 fighter aircraft each from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) participated in the operation.

Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the operation underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties between the two countries.

"The joint air patrol underscores both air forces' shared commitment to safeguarding their borders against transnational terrorism threats," it added.

The ministry also pointed to other bilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses, highlighting that such interactions serve to reinforce mutual understanding, strengthen friendships, and enhance interoperability between the two air forces.

During the two-day operation, both air forces conducted briefings, exercised standing operating procedures, and patrolled the airspace along the border of Singapore and Indonesia together.

Both RSAF chief Major-General (MG) Kelvin Fan and TNI-AU chief Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono also participated in the joint patrol, flying in their respective nation’s fighter aircraft.

“This inaugural Patkor Indopura is a special milestone for our air forces. To be able to conduct this joint patrol together shows shows the trust, friendship and the professionalism between the two air forces," MG Fan said.

新加坡和印度尼西亚空军于周三（11月4日）完成了首次联合战斗机空中巡逻。

代号为“印多普拉姆行动”的此次行动中，新加坡空军（RSAF）和印度尼西亚空军（TNI-AU）各出动了两架F-16战斗机。

新加坡国防部表示，此次行动凸显了两国之间密切而长久的双边防务关系。

声明还补充说：“此次联合空中巡逻凸显了两国空军在保卫边境免受跨国恐怖主义威胁方面的共同承诺。”

该部还指出，双方还开展了其他双边演习、高层互访、专业交流和共同参加课程等活动，强调此类互动有助于加强相互了解，巩固友谊，并提高两国空军的互操作性。

在为期两天的行动中，两国空军进行了简报，演练了既定的作战程序，并共同巡逻了新加坡和印度尼西亚边境沿线的空域。

新加坡空军总司令范凯文少将和印尼国民军总司令穆罕默德·托尼·哈尔乔诺空军上将也参加了联合巡逻，分别驾驶各自国家的战斗机。

“此次‘印度巡逻队’联合巡逻行动对我们两国空军来说是一个特殊的里程碑。能够共同进行这次联合巡逻，体现了两国空军之间的信任、友谊和专业精神，”范少将说道。