So the F-16 was actually practicing for Brunei Defence Exhibition

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_...2aug09_nr2.html

Perhaps Brunei is trying to obtain some close-at-hand information on the F16s??
Think they Air Force is almost non-existent, as such with the growing challenges of possible threats to the kingdom, they could be exploring the possibilities of further enhancing their defences. But somehow seeing them reminds me alot of Kuwait.

I wonder who is the target audience for the Brunei Defence Exhibition.

The Sultan's self-esteem.

The Brunei Sultan can buy for himself an Airbus A380, that's how rich he is. :blink:

exactly, he is buying the audience B)

Might I remind you guys that Brunei and Malaysia have some disagreements over the demarcation of their respective EEZs and that certain Malaysian politicians have been telling outright lies on the Bruneian position.

yes I did my trade circuits in Brunei, and I would find it insufferable if I were a Bruneian. wonder if we will upgrade the matchboxes we have over at Bandar.

the tudm su-30 mkm is there too.....

check out the link

brunei times bridex 2009 link

What ever happened to their new OPVs? What's the word about those ships?

Anyone found the name Bridex reminiscent of a expo for weddings? That's the first thing that came to my mind when I looked over the Mindef article.

Considering the Brits still have a battalion of the 1st Gurkha Rifles based in Brunei, Brunei's fairly safe from an outright invasion from any country in the region. The navy could probably use some modernization though, especially with the corvette deal falling through.

I have a question. Are most rotary wing pilots trained on fixed wing aircraft? Was looking at RBAF and realized they used PC-7s for training, but operate largely rotary aircraft. Their only fixed wing aircraft was a CN235 delivered in 1997. Previously they also had two SF260Ws trainers, but no other fixed aircraft.

@Bcoy

they are supposed to be sold for around £600m. Currently held by Lurssen who will in turn be the selling agent for Brunei. It is possible that Lurssen will then build replacements for the OPVs.

Based on the NFTC (Nato Flight Training in Canada Program), it would appear so.


IINM, the RSAF has a similar approach.

OTOH, from what I remember reading of US Army WOFT (Warrant Officer Flight Training) ... they go straight into Rotary Wing.

the sultan flies his own 747...

http://www.articlearchives.com/internation.../2319233-1.html

The 15-minute meeting yesterday between the President and the Sultan was described as "constructive," reflecting "mutual friendship, cordiality, sincerity, and openness," according to a joint statement issued by the two governments. Bolkiah, piloting a 747 aircraft, is set to leave Manila today, Saturday morning.

I always tot the RBAF had Hawk jets..... could be mistaken....

In any case the British Gurkha is actually there under the guise of protection for the royal family....and the numbers aren't sufficient to repel any serious concerted invasion.... in any case as said earlier, I see the Bruneian Armed Forces as similar to Kuwait's....

Thank you. I could recall the US program, which as you mentioned, went into rotary Wing immediately.

Regarding the Gurkha regiment, it's not the number of troops or who they are protecting. It's who they belong to. Serious invasion of Brunei would also mean dragging the UK into it. Is anyone in the region (depends on how wide a net you want to cast to define region, I imagine) willing or capable to do that right now? (Conduct a serious invasion + tick off the Brits)

And no, the RBAF does not have any Hawks, they have been talking about buying them for some time though.

Hey, those guys are here in Singapore for the same reasons. :P

HRH is both fixed wing (single & multi-engine) and rotary wing qualified ... impressive.

Either that or the Royals all have too much time ;)

There are British Gurkhas in Singapore?

Looks like a great event, I would have made my way to Brunei to capture the RMAF Sukhoi Su-30MKM if I knew about it. :(

Coverage by Jan Shim one of the photog from Brunei.

http://shimworld.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/...the-art-of-war/

some very nice shots! the Suk and Moon was awesome. I am guessing he is using a Nikon, and the bokeh is lovely.

* oops on re-reading it turns out to be an EOS 5DMkII ;p

BRIDEX 2011 will be bigger, better.

Al-Haadi Abu Bakar
BRUNEI-MUARA

Sunday, August 16, 2009
This year's exhibition has exceeded expectations, says head of RBTS

BRIDEX organisers are already preparing for the next event in 2011, which promises to be bigger in scale, following this year's exhibition which has "gone beyond their expectations".

Some 34 companies have registered with Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) for the next edition of BRIDEX in 2011, said Lt Col (Rtd) Amir Hamzah Hj Hanafi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Brunei Technical Services, yesterday.

The CEO and BRIDEX exhibition director said that the number of companies which signed up for 2011 will already be taking up half of the space at the BRIDEX building, which has a total exhibition space of 10,000 square metres.

"The next one will definitely be bigger and better, but in terms of the number of exhibitors, we will still limit their numbers up to no more than 250 exhibitors because we still want to maintain the exclusivity of the show," said Lt Col (Rtd) Amir during a press conference yesterday.

"2011 will be a very interesting year for BRIDEX because it will coincide with the golden anniversary of the armed forces."

The CEO said that expansion of the building has been taken into consideration, including building another hall.

"This means that interested companies will be taking a much bigger space for the next event compared to this year."

The decision for expansion was made due to the overwhelming responses by the delegates, exhibitors, trade visitors and the public on the overall success of BRIDEX 2009.

"The delegates were very impressed with the show, it's very well organised and all things taken care of, from their visit programme to the travel to the accommodation and more importantly, the courtesy calls on various senior officials at the Ministry of Defence.

"The exhibitors were overwhelmed with how the event has been planned and organised. Most importantly, they have met their expectations for the delegate traffic. That is one of the key indicators to a successful event.

He added that public response has also been positive. "You can really see the smiles on their faces during their visit.

"They enjoyed the demonstrations, and the exhibition educates them with the latest technologies in the defence industry and obviously it's a good recruiting campaign for the armed forces," said the CEO.

Lt Col (Rtd) Amir said that the military demonstrations were one of the event's key highlights and there would be more air, sea and ground displays in 2011.

"We have also received strong commitment from several naval forces whereby they will be bringing in more ships for the next demonstration."

In addition, a special competition among the naval forces will be organised which would further strengthen the ties and relationship between the countries.

"But at the same time, we don't want the demonstrations to be too grand as we want to ensure that the exhibitors will not be lost in the crowd."

He said that RBTS has already surpassed this year's expectations. "At first, no one actually thought that we are able to organise such a huge event as we are simply a procurement agency for the government, but through teamwork and good leadership, we managed to make the event possible."

Promoting the exhibition was also a challenge due to the ongoing global financial crisis and the H1N1 pandemic, but "we ourselves were surprised that the entire exhibition space was taken up", he said.

"Overall, BRIDEX 2009 is a huge success, and we're all looking forward to BRIDEX 2011 in a big way," he concluded.The Brunei Times

http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/08/...e_bigger_better

did we show the Bionix and Terrex?

you think they gonna buy bionix and terrex?

heard the turks are also pushing the ACV-300... something that malaysia has been using for some time.

I think they might find uses for Bronco and Terrex. in any case we don't need to show there for them to buy, they come over often enough ;p

export variant will most likely have the 3G electronics stuff ripped out first...but I'd say to Brunei: BX is a good buy! :P not like they've never touched them before anyway :P

I believe the Crown Price himself trained in the Ultras.

was also given a ride in the L2s...tho I doubt he was taught how to use it...

the Crown Prince was here in the 90s for extensive training, IIRC there was a picture of him training with the Armour Infantry.

I think the Crown Prince was here more for fun & holiday type. He was presented with an Ultimax 100 from Teo some years ago

260809(Wed)

Hope to make it for the Bridex 2011 as it'll be interesting to also see the golden anniversary of the Brunei Armed Forces.

Here is the website for Bridex 2011.

http://www.bridex2011.com/