Singapore and Brunei Air Forces Launch Exercise Vanguard, Marking New Milestone in 50 Years of Defence Relations

2 October 2026 On 1 October 2026, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) launched Exercise Vanguard, a new overarching bilateral exercise framework to deepen cooperation between both air forces. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Chief of Air Force, Major-General (MG) Kelvin Fan (left) met with the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), Brigadier-General (U) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud (right). Both air chiefs co-launched Exercise Vanguard to mark 50 years of bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Brunei. (MG) Kelvin Fan (left) met with the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), Brigadier-General (U) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud (right). Both air chiefs co-launched Exercise Vanguard to mark 50 years of bilateral defence relations between Singapore and MG Fan delivering his opening address at the opening ceremony of Exercise Vanguard - a new overarching bilateral exercise framework to deepen cooperation between both air forces. RSAF and RBAirF exercise participants at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Exercise Vanguard. On 1 October 2026, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) launched Exercise Vanguard, a new overarching bilateral exercise framework to deepen cooperation between both air forces. Co-officiated in Brunei Darussalam by the RSAF Chief of Air Force, Major-General (MG) Kelvin Fan Sui Siong, and the Commander of the RBAirF, Brigadier General (BG) (U) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud, Exercise Vanguard will comprise three sub-exercises. Exercise Airguard, the air forces’ flagship bilateral exercise since 1994, will come under Exercise Vanguard and continue to focus on Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) training. Two new exercises – Exercise Wing Guard and Exercise Skyguard – covering bilateral helicopter training and unmanned aerial vehicle training respectively, will also be introduced. The inaugural Exercise Vanguard will involve more than 90 personnel from both air forces. Three RSAF RBS 70 systems, one PSTAR GBAD system, two H225M helicopters and one Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) team; as well as three RBAirF Mistral GBAD systems, two S70i Black Hawks, one C-UAS team and one Integrator UAS will be deployed for the exercise. Speaking at the opening ceremony, MG Fan highlighted the close and longstanding relationship between the two air forces. He said, “This is a milestone that reflects five decades of close cooperation, mutual trust, and enduring friendship. This partnership was built by our people, who have spent decades working together, learning from each other, and building trust.” On the expanded scope of the exercise, MG Fan said, “By broadening the scope of our training, Exercise Vanguard will create more opportunities for our people to deepen their professional competencies, and learn from one another.” Launched as Singapore and Brunei Darussalam mark 50 years of defence relations, Exercise Vanguard represents the next step in the longstanding cooperation between both air forces. The RSAF and RBAirF interact regularly through bilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses. These interactions strengthen interoperability and mutual understanding, while enabling successive generations of servicemen to build close professional and personal ties. Back to top