[Photo: Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen meeting with Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel at BRIDEX 2009.]

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen attended the Brunei Darussalam International
Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) 2009 this morning, as part of a three-day visit to Brunei.

His visit to Brunei was to marks the inaugural participation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in the
exhibition.

At the exhibition, Dr Ng viewed a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 aerobatic display, a Chinook aerial display as well as a sail-past by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endeavour.

The participation of the SAF in this year's exhibition was at the invitation of the Brunei Darussalam
Ministry of Defence.

The SAF's participation in BRIDEX 2009 underscores the strong defence ties between Singapore and Brunei.

Dr Ng, who is also Minister for Education, had an audience with the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal
Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday afternoon.

He is accompanied by Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo and Chief of Air Force Major-General
Ng Chee Khern.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the SAF engage in a wide range of bilateral exercises and interactions, which have
enhanced the professionalism and strengthened the excellent ties between the two armed forces.