YOKOSUKA, JAPAN, Wednesday, 09 November 2022 – The 18th West Pacific Naval Symposium and International Fleet Review (IFR) 2022 was held in Yokosuka, Japan, from the 6th until the 8th November 2022, participated by First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, Commander RBN as head of delegation. RBN’s participation this year’s participation is made more significant by RBN’s inaugural deployment to Japan to attend the IFR 2022 to commemorate the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) 70th Anniversary.
The IFR 2022 was attended by His Excellency Yasukazu Hamada, Japan’s Minister of Defence as Guest of Honour onboard JS IZUMO to review ships comprising KDB DARULEHSAN, along with 36 other ships from Japan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Commander RBN was also present onboard during the reviewing ship observing the IFR amongst other distinguished Chiefs of Navies and their representatives. Other activities in conjunction with the IFR included a Sea Phase exercise for Search and Rescue. Following that, whilst the ships are at the harbour, formal activities include a city parade, sports interactions and open ship tours.
Following the IFR, the 18th WPNS was officiated on the 7th November 2022, by Admiral Ryo Sakai, Chief of Staff, JMSDF, at the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel. The 18th WPNS was held over two days from the 7th until the 8th of November 2022, where Chiefs of Navies in the Western Pacific congregated to discuss matters of mutual interest under the theme of “Free and Open Ocean for the Next Generation”.
On the sidelines of the 18th WPNS, Commander RBN also had the opportunity to conduct bilateral meetings with JMSDF’s Chief of Staff, Admiral Ryo Sakai, the Royal Thai Navy’s Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Cherngchai Chomcherngpat, the Philippine Navy’s Acting Flag-Officer-in-Command, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia and the Republic of Singapore Navy Chief, Rear Admiral Aaron Beng.
The Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) is a biennial event founded in 1988 that brings together navies from the Western Pacific region to streamline cooperation and discuss matters of mutual benefit to address common challenges. The 19th WPNS will be hosted by the People’s Liberation Army – Navy (China).
The Royal Brunei Navy aligns with the objectives of the 18th WPNS and reaffirms its commitment towards building, strengthening and maintaining relationships, as well as enhancing interoperability between all participants towards a peaceful and stable regional maritime domain.
KDB DARULEHSAN departed from Yokosuka Base on the 9th November 2022 and is scheduled to arrive at Muara Naval Base, Brunei Darussalam, on the 17th November 2022.
KDB DARULEHSAN in the International Fleet Review
Photo of participating ships in the International Fleet Review
RBN contingent during the City Parade
TENTERA LAUT DIRAJA BRUNEI MENYERTAI WEST PACIFIC NAVAL SYMPOSIUM KE-18 DAN INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW DI YOKOSUKA, JEPUN
YOKOSUKA, JEPUN, Rabu, 09 November 2022 – West Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) ke-18 dan International Fleet Review (IFR) 2022 telah diadakan di Yokosuka, Jepun pada 6 hingga 8 November 2022 yang dihadiri oleh Yang Mulia Laksamana Pertama Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, Pemerintah Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB) selaku ketua rombongan. Penyertaan TLDB tahun ini lebih signifikan dengan pelayaran TLDB buat kali pertama ke Jepun untuk menghadiri International Fleet Review (IFR) 2022 yang diadakan bagi menyambut Hari Ulang Tahun Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) yang ke-70.
Acara IFR 2022 telah dihadiri oleh Tuan Yang Terutama Yasukazu Hamada, Menteri Pertahanan Jepun, selaku tetamu kehormat di atas JS IZUMO bagi meneliti kapal-kapal yang melibatkan KDB DARULEHSAN dan 36 buah kapal tentera laut yang lain daripada negara Jepun, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapura, Thailand dan United Kingdom. Pemerintah TLDB dan pemerintah-pemerintah tentera laut yang lain juga sama-sama memeriksa kapal di dalam acara IFR tersebut. Diantara aktiviti yang diadakan sempena IFR ini ialah Latihan Mencari dan Menyelamat. Pada masa yang sama, semasa kapal-kapal berada di pelabuhan, aktiviti-aktiviti lain seperti perarakan bandaraya, interaksi sukan dan lawatan ke kapal-kapal juga turut diadakan.
Sejurus selepas acara IFR diadakan, WPNS ke-18 telah dirasmikan pada 7 November 2022 oleh Laksamana Ryo Sakai, Chief of Staff, JMSDF di Yokohama Royal Park Hotel. Mesyuarat tersebut dijalankan selama dua hari dari 7 hingga 8 November 2022 dimana pemerintah-pemerintah tentera laut dirantau Pasifik Barat membentangkan hal-hal kepentingan bersama sejajar dengan tema “Free and Open Ocean for the Next Generation”.
Semasa mesyuarat tersebut dijalankan, Pemerintah TLDB berpeluang untuk mengadakan mesyuarat dua hala bersama Chief of Staff JMSDF, Laksamana Ryo Sakai, Pemerintah Tentera Laut Diraja Thai, Laksamana Cherngchai Chomcherngpat, Pemangku Pemerintah Tentera Laut Republik Filipina, Laksamana Muda Caesar Bernard N. Valencia dan juga Pemerintah Tentera Laut Republik Singapura, Laksamana Muda Aaron Beng.
Mesyuarat WPNS diadakan setiap dua tahun yang bermula sejak tahun 1988 bagi menyatukan tentera laut Pasifik Barat dalam usaha bagi menyelaraskan dan membincangkan hal-hal kepentingan bersama yang bertujuan untuk menangani cabaran-cabaran yang sama. Mesyuarat WPNS yang ke-19 akan dihoskan oleh People’s Liberation Army – Navy (China).
Selaras dengan objektif WNPS Ke-18, Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei menegaskan kerjasamanya dalam membina, mengukuhkan dan mengekalkan hubungan dan interoperability diantara semua peserta-peserta kearah lautan serantau yang aman dan damai.
KDB DARULEHSAN telah berlepas dari Pengkalan Yokosuka pada 9 November 2022 dan dijadualkan tiba ke tanahair pada 17 November 2022.