Fact Sheet: Indonesia-Singapore Defence Alumni (Persahan) Initiative

BACKGROUND

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy a close and longstanding defence relationship, with regular interactions and engagements conducted every year. These engagements include exercises and operations, professional exchanges as well as the cross-attendance of courses. Through these interactions, both defence establishments have fostered strong people-to-people ties, deepened mutual trust and understanding, and nurtured a strong spirit of cooperation.

In the spirit of growing the bilateral defence relationship, Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing and Indonesian Defence Minister General (Hon)(Rtd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin agreed to establish the Indonesia-Singapore Defence Alumni initiative to strengthen the enduring people-to-people ties between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI), and provide a platform for these relationships to continue growing across generations.

The Alumni will be launched on 14 July 2026 in Jakarta, and officiated by the Defence Ministers and Chiefs of Defence Force of Singapore and Indonesia.

NAMING OF INDONESIA-SINGAPORE DEFENCE ALUMNI INITIATIVE

The Indonesia-Singapore Defence Alumni initiative will be named Persahabatan Alumni Pertahanan, or PERSAHAN in short. It represents a Defence Alumni (alumni pertahanan) that is based on our close and longstanding friendship (persahabatan).

VISION

The Alumni aspires to support the bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Indonesia by bringing together the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) officers who have worked in and/or completed a study stint in Singapore and Indonesia respectively, and to maintain the unique bonds and camaraderie forged through shared experiences, so as to build long-lasting friendships among the SAF and TNI officers.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP

The Chiefs of Defence Force of Singapore and Indonesia will be the co-Presidents of the Alumni to provide guidance on its plans and activities. The Alumni's membership will comprise the SAF and TNI officers who have graduated from courses in Singapore and Indonesia respectively, as well as current and former Defence Attachés/Assistant Defence Attachés to Singapore and Indonesia. The co-Presidents may also invite other SAF and TNI officers who have contributed significantly to the bilateral relations between both armed forces.

LOGO

The Lion and the Garuda are the national symbols of Singapore and Indonesia respectively, and they represent the men and women of the SAF and TNI. Standing together, they symbolise the peaceful meeting of two nations and its militaries, and the mutual respect and comradeship between them. The blazing torch represents the shared desire to pursue knowledge and progress. The symbols are encased in a roundel, signifying an enduring relationship. Gold stands for the prestige and excellence of both organisations, and Red symbolises energy and strength.

More Resources

Speech by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at the SAF Day Reception on 14 July 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta, Indonesia

Singapore and Indonesia Launch Indonesia-Singapore Defence Alumni Initiative, Reaffirm Strong and Long-standing Bilateral Defence Relations