MUARA, Sunday 6 April 2014 – Two warships from Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) have arrived Brunei today for Exercise HELANG LAUT with the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN). KRI CUT NYAK DIEN - 375 and KRI BARAKUDA - 633 are the two Indonesian warships that will join the exercise with KDB DARULEHSAN and KDB IJHTIHAD from the RBN.
The ships were received and welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel (L) Muhammad Hadi Syarifuddin bin Hj Muhammad Hassanal Mega, Fleet Squadron Commander of RBN, as well as personnel and Band of the Royal Brunei Navy. This year Exercise HELANG LAUT will be conducted from 07th April 2014 to 11th April 2014. The exercise will focus on enhancing knowledge, professionalism and mutual understanding in conducting naval operations.
Commander Oke Dwiyana, M.M., Commanding Officer of KRI CUT NYAK DIEN will lead TNI AL which comprised of KRI CUT NYAK DIEN, KRI BARAKUDA and a section of Vessel Board, Search, & Seizure (VBSS) team. Whereas Major (L) Willie bin Padan, Commanding Officer of KDB DARULEHSAN will lead KDB DARULEHSAN, KDB IJHTIHAD and a section of Naval Surface Action Group (NSAG).
The exercise has witnessed broadening of scope and complexity through the years of its existence and this biennial exercise codenamed 'HELANG LAUT 15B/M' is the latest of its continuing series, which aims to strengthen relationship and mutual understanding between the two navies.