Muara Naval Base | |
---|---|
Pangkalan Tentera Laut Muara ڤڠكالن تنترا لاوت موارا | |
Muara, Serasa, Brunei-Muara in Brunei | |
Coordinates | 05°01′56″N 115°04′54″E / 5.03222°N 115.08167°E |
Type | Naval base and headquarters |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Brunei |
Operator | Royal Brunei Navy |
Controlled by | Ministry of Defence |
Condition | Operational |
Website | navy.mindef.gov.bn |
Site history | |
Built | 1974 |
In use | 1974–present |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | Capt Mohamad Sarif Pudin (acting) |
Garrison | Fleet of the Royal Brunei Navy |
Muara Naval Base ( Malay: Pangkalan Tentera Laut Muara) is a naval base which serves as the headquarters and main operating base for the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN; Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei, TLDB). [1] It is situated approximately 4 kilometres (2 miles) from Muara Town, Brunei-Muara District, in the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. [2] [3] The naval base is located near the mouth of the Brunei River, which flows into the Brunei Bay. [4]
During World War II, then occupied Muara was previously used by the Japanese Navy as a naval base until the country was liberated by the Australian 9th Division. [5] The Boat Section of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR), specifically, the administration of First Sea Battalion, was relocated to its current location at Muara in 1974. [6] Among many international visitors to the naval base, the United States Navy (USN) warship USS Robert E. Peary (FF-1073) was berthed at Muara Naval Base in 1989. [7] In 1991, Brunei ordered three Nakhoda Ragam-class corvettes, which were planned to be based at the naval base. [8] However, due to a contractual dispute with their manufacturer, all three ships of the class were never commissioned into the navy. [9]
In 1997, the base's upgrade project costed B$140 million, in which it included the construction of a new 314 metres (1,030 feet) long quay, shiplift, and renovation of its existing facilities. [2] The project was carried out in order to facilitate the three new Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel. [10] Between 2007 and 2012, ammunition and explosive storage bunkers were constructed not far from the base, at Kampong Kapok. [2] [11]
Another B$44.6 million project was started in July 2011, to provide new accommodation facilities for the base's personnel, workshops, technical buildings, and car parks. [2] [12] During BRIDEX 2011, the Royal Brunei Navy celebrated its 46th anniversary at the naval base (and jointly at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre), [13] in which twenty-four warships from ten countries were invited to attend. [2] [13]
On 29 May 2013, as part of a state visit to Brunei, President of Singapore Tony Tan visited the Muara Naval Base. [14] On 23 February 2014, a 172 metres (564 feet) long roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) car carrier Trans Future 2 collided with KDB Berkat and another Ijtihad-class patrol boat while in port. [15] [16] Later in May, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah landed his Sikorsky S-70 at the naval base in which he visited the KDB Afiat and witnessed a naval exercise. [17] Later that year on 11 November, the 20th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT Brunei 2014) between the United States and Brunei began at the naval base. [18] [19]
On 12 November 2018, the 24th annual CARAT began at the naval base, in which it involved several exercises in the South China Sea with USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4). [20] The 25th annual CARAT was once again held at the naval base on 31 October 2019. [21]
Three naval divisions are based in the naval base:
There are several facilities located within the naval base: [23]
Media related to Muara Naval Base at Wikimedia Commons
Muara Naval Base | |
---|---|
Pangkalan Tentera Laut Muara ڤڠكالن تنترا لاوت موارا | |
Muara, Serasa, Brunei-Muara in Brunei | |
Coordinates | 05°01′56″N 115°04′54″E / 5.03222°N 115.08167°E |
Type | Naval base and headquarters |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Brunei |
Operator | Royal Brunei Navy |
Controlled by | Ministry of Defence |
Condition | Operational |
Website | navy.mindef.gov.bn |
Site history | |
Built | 1974 |
In use | 1974–present |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | Capt Mohamad Sarif Pudin (acting) |
Garrison | Fleet of the Royal Brunei Navy |
Muara Naval Base ( Malay: Pangkalan Tentera Laut Muara) is a naval base which serves as the headquarters and main operating base for the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN; Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei, TLDB). [1] It is situated approximately 4 kilometres (2 miles) from Muara Town, Brunei-Muara District, in the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. [2] [3] The naval base is located near the mouth of the Brunei River, which flows into the Brunei Bay. [4]
During World War II, then occupied Muara was previously used by the Japanese Navy as a naval base until the country was liberated by the Australian 9th Division. [5] The Boat Section of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR), specifically, the administration of First Sea Battalion, was relocated to its current location at Muara in 1974. [6] Among many international visitors to the naval base, the United States Navy (USN) warship USS Robert E. Peary (FF-1073) was berthed at Muara Naval Base in 1989. [7] In 1991, Brunei ordered three Nakhoda Ragam-class corvettes, which were planned to be based at the naval base. [8] However, due to a contractual dispute with their manufacturer, all three ships of the class were never commissioned into the navy. [9]
In 1997, the base's upgrade project costed B$140 million, in which it included the construction of a new 314 metres (1,030 feet) long quay, shiplift, and renovation of its existing facilities. [2] The project was carried out in order to facilitate the three new Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel. [10] Between 2007 and 2012, ammunition and explosive storage bunkers were constructed not far from the base, at Kampong Kapok. [2] [11]
Another B$44.6 million project was started in July 2011, to provide new accommodation facilities for the base's personnel, workshops, technical buildings, and car parks. [2] [12] During BRIDEX 2011, the Royal Brunei Navy celebrated its 46th anniversary at the naval base (and jointly at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre), [13] in which twenty-four warships from ten countries were invited to attend. [2] [13]
On 29 May 2013, as part of a state visit to Brunei, President of Singapore Tony Tan visited the Muara Naval Base. [14] On 23 February 2014, a 172 metres (564 feet) long roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) car carrier Trans Future 2 collided with KDB Berkat and another Ijtihad-class patrol boat while in port. [15] [16] Later in May, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah landed his Sikorsky S-70 at the naval base in which he visited the KDB Afiat and witnessed a naval exercise. [17] Later that year on 11 November, the 20th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT Brunei 2014) between the United States and Brunei began at the naval base. [18] [19]
On 12 November 2018, the 24th annual CARAT began at the naval base, in which it involved several exercises in the South China Sea with USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4). [20] The 25th annual CARAT was once again held at the naval base on 31 October 2019. [21]
Three naval divisions are based in the naval base:
There are several facilities located within the naval base: [23]
Media related to Muara Naval Base at Wikimedia Commons