| Azaraimy HH |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, watched yesterday’s Setia Kawan III Exercise, which took place at Penanjong Garrison, Tutong.
Setia Kawan III is a joint Brunei-UK military exercise held to demonstrate the two armed forces’ amphibious capabilities.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; and His Royal Highness 920 Captain (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Before arriving at the beach demonstration site at Binturan Shooting Range, His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses first stopped by the HMS Albion – at sea on the way to the exercise site – via helicopter for a tour of the vessel.
Upon arriving at HMS Albion, His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud.
Once at the Binturan Shooting Range, His Majesty was ushered to a special placement to receive the Royal Salute, before later inspecting the royal guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
His Majesty then viewed the combined amphibious demonstration by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Navy, and an Amphibious Beach Unit (ABU) static display, before attending a luncheon hosted by the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
Before departing the venue, His Majesty went on to view the Setia Kawan III Gallery static exhibition and received a pesambah from the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The monarch then signed a commemorative parchment and joined in for a group photograph and meet-and-greet with the army personnel involved in the beach demonstration.
Setia Kawan III Exercise is one of a series of military exercises conducted between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the British Armed Forces, the first of which was carried out in 1988.
The amphibious exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the British Armed Forces units by engaging multiple army elements besides amphibious landings, while adapting to unpredictable beachfront threats.
Also present at the event to represent the Government of the United Kingdom and the British Armed Forces were High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay; and Fleet Commander of the Royal Navy Vice Admiral Ben Key, CBE.