SINGAPORE - Singapore's Second Minister for Defence Mr Lui Tuck Yew and Bruneian Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Mustappa visited a joint military exercise involving soldiers from both countries on Thursday.

Exercise Maju Bersama is taking place at Ulu Benutan in Brunei until Friday. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral exercise.

Mr Lui and Dato Mustappa were accompanied by Singapore's Chief of Army Major-General Perry Lim and Brunei's Commander Brigadier General Pengiran Dato Aminan.

During their visit, Mr Lui and Dato Mustappa witnessed a company assault and interacted with troops from the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards and 2nd Battalion of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF).

Mr Lui, who is in Brunei on an official two-day visit, will also meet Brunei's Minister of Development and its Minister of Communications.

The 20th anniversary of Exercise Maju Bersama underscores the close and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Brunei, Singapore's Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.

The exercise, which has grown in complexity since 1995, enhances the "interoperability between the two armies and fosters mutual understanding". The Singapore Army and the RBLF also interact through frequent professional exchanges and visits.