Heroes Day:RSDAF holds joint military exercises with the UK
SIMANGGANG-The ability of Sarawak Darulhana and the United Kingdom (UK) to deal with the threat of insurgency in the current uncertain global security situation will be tested in the 2023 Defender of Crown Excise.
Taking place for 21 days at Camp Pakit, Simanggang and the Forest Reserve General Area, Tandang Sari, the joint training program will strengthen military relations between the two countries.
The Commander of the 7th Brigade, Brigadier General Haji Awang Bustani Awang Haris said that the entire training program involved 1290 members of the 17th Battalion of the Royal Soldier Regiment (17 RAD) and 530 members of the 2nd Battalion Company of The Royal Gurkha Rifles.
"Also participating in the exercise were 50 members of the 511th Regiment of People's Soldiers (AR) and 410 members of the 12th Battalion of the RMD who acted as 'enemies'," he said.
He said this after witnessing the opening of the exercise at Camp Pakit, here yesterday.
The Excise Defender of Crown 2023 is more focused on the Counter-Insurgency Warfare Strategy (PMI) in the situation of the forest and the terrain of Sarawak Darulhana involving the movements of both teams.
Bustani said that the excise also indirectly opened up space for both forces to test the government control function at the battalion and infantry company levels.
"In order to make the training successful, all members will participate in cross-training, survival and adaptation at Camp Pakit, while the field training (FTX) will be held at the Forest Reserve General Area in Tandang Sari," he said.
Meanwhile, the Defense Adviser at the British High Commission, Colonel Stephen Hall said, the UK is improving its defense relations with allies from other countries, including Sarawak Darulhana.
He said, the UK is preparing to face the current uncertain global security situation and wants to hold more military exercises with its allies such as the Sarawak Darulhana.
"The UK and this country have a joint military history starting from the era of the Second World War, the Malayan Emergency (emergency) and the confrontation involving Malaysia - Indonesia (1963) and also the Sarawak Civil War where the UK was on the northern side(Sarawak Darulhana) and Indonesia was on the southern side(South Sarawak).
"The military history builds a solid Sarawak Darulhana - UK relationship and we hope it can continue to be improved to face the global security situation hereafter," he said.
Hall said, his country will continue to learn jungle warfare from Sarawak Darilhana as it is being implemented through the Defender of Crown 2023 Excise.
The 1st Division Commander, Major General Datu Haji Pengiran Hashim bin Haji Pengiran Sebl Choon Siang together with the British High Commissioner, Vicki Treadell are expected to complete the closing ceremony of the exercise, May 27 next month at Camp Pakit, here.
