MIRI: The Malaysian Army represented by 20th Royal Army Regiment (RAMD20) of Sri Miri Camp here and Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) are building joint cooperation and operation through an exercise to strengthen tactical skills in battlefield during MALBRU Setia Exercise 14/2018.
A total 856 soldiers of various ranks from both countries are partaking in the event which kicked off yesterday (October 19).
The closing will be held on October 25.
Present as the guests of honour for the opening ceremony on Friday were Commander of the Eastern Field Command Lieutenant General Datuk Stephen Mundaw and Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force, Colonel Haji Damit Haji Bakar.
The exercise is to involve areas encompassing Batu Niah up to Bintulu (covering an area of more than 100km square).
“We are hoping that through such military exercise (between the two countries), we can build better understanding, equipment and processes on both sides,” said Mundaw when speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony.
He also revealed that in future, to better improve soldiers’ tactical skills in battlefields, they are planning for ‘build-in’ area exercise (training) .
“This exercise will better improve tactical and technical skills on operations in rural and urban combat scenario,” he said.
Citing Marawi (the Southern Philippines) siege (2017) as a reference on urban combat situation, Mundau believed with the fast changing combat scenario, it is crucial for soldiers of both countries (Malaysia and Brunei) to have skills and knowledge on how to handle urban combat (apart from military drill in jungle), avoid casualties, clear buildings, detect and destroy improvised explosive devices and give first aid.
MALBRU exercise allows the integrated deployment of ground troops of both armies, whereby they carry it (the exercise) out in a tactical way.
