Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - The Air Forces of Indonesia and Singapore are to hold a joint battle exercise here, from Nov 22 to Dec 2, 2016.

"Until next two weeks, we are holding a joint exercise with the Air Force of Singapore to improve our capability," Commander of Air Wing 6 of Pekanbaru-based Roesmin Noerjadin Air Force Base Col Deni H Simanjuntak said here, Monday.

The joint exercise involves five F16 C/D Block Fighting Falcon jet fighters of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) an five F16 A/B Block Fighting Falcon of the 16 Air Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU).

Having a code name of Elang (Eagle) Indopura XIX/16, the joint drill involves some 300 air force personnel of the two neighboring countries.

The joint exercise will be carried out over Pekanbaru and Singapore as agreed upon by the two air forces.

Previously, the two countries air forces held a similar exercise code named "Camar (Seagull) Indopura 23/16" in October 2016.

In 1980 the Singapore and Indonesian air forces began annual exercises (code-named Indopura) that were gradually expanded to include joint air maneuvers.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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