Singapore and German Armies Conclude Bilateral Live-Firing Exercise in Oberlausitz

The Singapore Army concluded a bilateral live-firing exercise with the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) at the Oberlausitz Military Training Area (OMTA), Germany, as part of Exercise Panzer Strike yesterday evening (Singapore time). The exercise involved soldiers from the 1st Company, 48th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) and their German Army counterparts from the Gebirgspanzerbataillon 8.

The ninth in the series, this year's exercise is conducted over two training windows in Spring (14 March to 3 May 2017) and Autumn (12 September to 3 November 2017).  The exercise involves more than 1,300 servicemen and trainees from 48 SAR and the Armour Training Institute, as well as 14 Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks and 12 Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

Held since 2009, Exercise Panzer Strike underscores the strong and growing defence ties between Singapore and Germany. The valuable training space provided by the OMTA, which is a quarter of the size of Singapore, has allowed the Singapore Army to train more efficiently by enabling concurrent live-firing of up to four ranges for armoured units. The opportunity to train in Germany has also strengthened the professionalism and capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces Armour Formation, and reinforces the personal ties between the Singapore Army and their German counterparts.

Singapore and Germany interact regularly through high-level visits, military exchanges, professional courses, policy dialogues and technology collaboration. Both countries signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in September 2005 to formalise defence interactions.