Sultan of Brunei stresses importance of Royal Brunei Armed Forces engagement in complex operations


  • Brunei
  • Thursday, 23 Jan 2025

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah delivers a titah on the occasion of the Sovereign’s Parade Ceremony for the 23rd Intake of the Officer Cadet School (OCS) at the Defence Academy, RBAF. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam highlighted the crucial need for Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel to actively participate in complex integrated operations during a titah at the Sovereign’s Parade Ceremony for the 23rd Intake of the Officer Cadet School (OCS) at the Defence Academy, RBAF on Thursday (Jan 23).

The Ruler emphasised that while academic excellence and lifelong learning are critical, practical exposure to operations is equally vital.

Sultan Hassanal cited examples such as the Badai Taduh humanitarian mission and the Independent Decommissioning Body Verification, Monitoring, and Assistance Team (IDB VMAT) in the Philippines, as well as Brunei’s contributions to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as key areas where RBAF personnel have made impactful contributions.

Sultan Hassanal praised the Faculty of Military Studies at the Defence Academy for its role in fostering lifelong learning and producing highly educated officers, aligning with Brunei Vision 2035.

However, the Ruler stressed that academic achievements must be complemented by field involvement to further enhance RBAF’s capabilities and professionalism.

The Sovereign Parade marked a significant milestone for OCS, which has produced 862 officers to date, including two from Malaysia and one from Singapore.

The recent inclusion of cadets from Indonesia and Thailand in the 24th intake further solidifies OCS’s reputation as a center of excellence for officer training.

Sultan Hassanal extended congratulations to OCS on this achievement, acknowledging its role in fostering strong regional ties.

Sultan Hassanal expressed confidence in the ongoing modernisation of RBAF through collaborations such as the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

These efforts ensure that the armed forces remain effective, efficient, and relevant in an evolving security landscape. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN

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