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Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Straits Times
SAF artillery, aircraft make Exercise Talisman Sabre debut in Australia
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The Singapore Army HIMARS participating in the combined joint live-firing at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. SINGAPORE – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participated for the first time in the multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre (XTS), co-hosted by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. More than 100 SAF personnel, two Himars rocket launchers and two Chinook helicopters were deployed between July 13 and 28 alongside 40,000 personnel from 18 other partner nations at the military exercise, said the SAF on July 28. The 11th iteration of XTS, the largest multinational military exercise in the Asia-Pacific and held every other year, will conclude on Aug 4. Partner nations at the drills include Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Britain and Japan. Malaysian and Vietnamese forces attended as observers, according to the Australian Department of Defence. Teams from the SAF's Special Operations Task Force, Special Operations Aviation Task Group, medical and information domains took part in integrated training with partner forces. 'We value such multilateral training opportunities, which allow the SAF to enhance interoperability and deepen mutual understanding with partner militaries,' said Brigadier-General Anand Sathi Kumar. 'Such opportunities will further hone the SAF's tactical competencies, demonstrate our soldiers' professionalism, and build enduring friendships with partner nations.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests Asia Gunman kills 5 security guards near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge Singapore Woman allegedly linked to case involving pre-schooler's sexual assault given stern warning Singapore Singapore lion dance troupe retains title at Genting World championship Singapore SMRT reports unauthorised post on its X account, says investigation under way Aircraft from the RSAF participating in a joint mission with the United States' 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. PHOTO: MINDEF The SAF's Himars crew trained with Australian and US forces at a combined live-firing exercise on July 14 in Queensland, with the US Department of Defence describing the SAF artillery as delivering precision long-range fire after moving from concealed positions. Mr Euan Graham, a senior analyst on defence strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that the presence of Singaporean forces at XTS is noteworthy. 'Singapore has advanced military capabilities that no other partner in South-east Asia comes close to, so for them to take part in Talisman Sabre is an opportunity for them to drill as part of a large coalition force, and at the more complex end of the activity spectrum,' he told US-based defence news outlet Breaking Defense.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
More than 1,000 troops from US army and SAF carry out exercise in urban warfare
A soldier from the Singapore Army (left) works with his counterparts from the US Army during urban operations at Safti City for Exercise Tiger Balm. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE More than 1,000 troops from US army and SAF carry out exercise in urban warfare SINGAPORE - More than 1,000 troops drawn from the Singapore and US armies executed urban warfare drills with air support from RSAF Apache helicopters and drones during a 12-day b ilateral exercise . This year, it was Singapore's turn to host Exercise Tiger Balm - the longest-running bilateral exercise that the Republic and US have in place. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef), in a statement on May 16 , said 823 soldiers from the SAF and 257 soldiers from the US army too part in the exercise. The SAF troops were drawn from the 6th Singapore Division/Headquarters Sense and Strike (6 Div/HQ SS) and the 7 6th Singapore Infantry Brigade. The US soldiers came from the Hawaii Army National Guard and the 29th Infantry Battalion Combat Team . The exercise lasted nearly two weeks - from May 5 to May 16 - during which soldiers ran through combat exercises and other drills, including urban warfare drills in Safti City. Safti City is a high-tech urban training facility that mimics a densely built-up town, complete with MRT stations, a 12-storey hotel, a school, and malls. Apart from the AH-64D Apache helicopters and Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle s from the Republic of Singapore Air Force , a Strike Observer Mission team from the army carried out reconnaissance work during the exercise. On the sidelines, subject matter expert exchanges took place, dealing with the evolution of chemical, biological, radiological and explosive threats. Brigadier-General Anand Sathi Kumar , commander of 6 Div/HQ SS, said the exercise this year incorporated new urban combat missions and unmanned technologies as part of the training. The exercise, he added, reaffirmed the deep and strategic partnership between Singapore and the US. Now into its 44th year , Exercise Tiger Balm was first conducted in 1981. The Mindef statement said: 'This annual exercise allows both armies to collaborate and share tactics, techniques and procedures, and is the hallmark of the excellent and long-standing ties between both armed forces. 'These regular interactions have fostered and enhanced the professionalism, friendships and mutual understanding among personnel from both armies.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
