JAKARTA — Singapore and Indonesia on July 14 unveiled the Indonesia‑Singapore Defence Alumni Initiative (PERSAHAN), a network linking military officers who trained in each other’s countries and intended to deepen bilateral defence ties.
Launched by Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta, PERSAHAN, from the Indonesian words for “friendship” and “defence alumni” will bring together current and former officers, defence attaches and others who have contributed to SAF‑TNI relations. The initiative aims to sustain personal and professional links beyond active service and strengthen people‑to‑people ties across generations, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said.
Vice‑Admiral Aaron Beng, Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force, and General Agus Subiyanto, Indonesia’s Armed Forces Commander, will serve as co‑presidents. Organisers signed the network’s founding directive and unveiled a logo combining Singapore’s lion and Indonesia’s Garuda.
Speaking at an SAF Day reception, Chan recalled friendships formed during his posting as Singapore’s army attache to Indonesia and described the partnership as central to regional security. He highlighted ongoing cooperation projects, including the proposed co‑development of the Siabu Air Weapons Range in Riau and training sites in Baturaja and West Kalimantan, initiatives discussed at the July 6 Singapore‑Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat.
Singapore and Indonesia maintain close, decades‑long defence ties, conducting joint exercises across naval, air, cyber and special operations domains, cooperating on maritime security, counter‑terrorism and disaster relief, and running exchange programmes. MINDEF said Chan’s July 14–15 visit underscores both countries’ commitment to deepen their longstanding defence relationship.