BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Australia’s flagship regional defence programme, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 (IPE25), returned to Brunei Darussalam on September 12, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Operation Oboe – Australia’s World War II landings that contributed to the liberation of Borneo, according to a press release from the Australian High Commission in Brunei.
IPE25 brings together personnel from Australia’s Navy, Army, Air Force and Department of Defence to strengthen longstanding ties with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Ministry of Defence. The defence relationship between the two nations stretches back to World War II.
This year’s programme will feature exchanges in defensive cyber, military law and workforce planning, alongside faith-based and cultural engagements aimed at fostering stronger people-to-people connections.
To support IPE25, the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC-class frigate HMAS Ballarat docked at Muara Naval Base for Exercise Penguin, a biennial maritime security exercise. The Royal Australian Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will also participate.
IPE25 is a key element of Australia’s wider regional engagement, with activities also planned across Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Commander of IPE25, Brigadier Jennifer Harris, CSC, underlined the importance of the programme by saying that “Australia and Brunei Darussalam have a common interest in an open, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region,” she said. “IPE25 is about more than military cooperation — it’s about building lasting connections through training, cultural exchange and shared experiences.”
Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Michael Hoy highlighted the wide scope of the collaboration. “IPE25 reflects the breadth of the Australia-Brunei defence partnership – covering cyber, maritime, legal, planning and mental health issues,” he said. “Our exchanges with Brunei Darussalam reinforce Australia’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.” - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
