The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting Exercise Wallaby (XWB) from 7 September to 15 October 2023 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of Exercise Wallaby which was inaugurated in 1990.

Brigadier-General Cai Dexian, the Exercise Director for XWB 2023, said "The vast training space in SWBTA, approximately four times the size of Singapore, enables the SAF to train at a scale, level and complexity that cannot be replicated back in Singapore. Integrated training and live-firing exercises are highly valuable as it allows different units from various Services to operate jointly at a high fidelity in a common space. This fully maximises the training value that SWBTA offers and is critical to the SAF in advancing its transformation as a modern and integrated fighting force."

Exercise Wallaby is the SAF's largest overseas unilateral exercise. This year's XWB involves about 4300 personnel and approximately 450 platforms ¹ from the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) over two training frames, allowing for cross-service integrated training to be conducted smoothly:

1. Frame 1: 7 Sep to 25 Sep. Frame 1 comprised training exercises involving the Singapore Army's Armour, Guards, Army Intelligence and Transport units, together with the RSAF's aircraft, Ground-Based Air Defence assets and Air-Land Tactical Control Centre (ALTaCC)².

1. Proficiency and Competency Training. The 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) underwent an evaluation to validate their proficiencies. The 12th Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Battalion (12 C4I Bn) also conducted a Battalion Mission Exercise, to test the unit's operational capability in vast terrain and enhance operational readiness. The 11th Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Battalion (11 C4I Bn), in support of both 48 SAR and 12 C4I Bn training, operated the Singapore Army's VELOCE-15 (V15) mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (mUAV), designed and developed by DSO National Laboratories, to conduct tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The cross-country terrain of SWBTA allows the Singapore Army's Guardsmen to fully test the manoeuvre capability of the Lightstrike Vehicle Mark II.
2. Live-Firing Training. The School of Motorised Infantry Leaders conducted an Infantry Platform Proficiency Shoot for Infantry leaders to achieve platform gunnery competency and familiarity in SWBTA. Other live-firing training included SPIKE Anti-Tank Guided Missile live-firing.
3. Integrated Cross-Service Training. The RSAF also conducted integrated training with the Army including close air support, trooplift and search and rescue missions by the AH-64D attack helicopters and CH-47F heavy lift helicopters, as well as airdrop operations involving 122 Squadron's C-130 and 3rd SAF Transport Battalion which continues in Frame 2. The RSAF's Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) RBS 70 systems strengthened air defence protection capabilities and enhanced its integration with the Army.

b. Frame 2: 26 Sep to 15 Oct. Frame 2 comprises the SAF's training exercises involving the Singapore Army's Infantry, Armour, Engineer, Combat Service Support and Army Intelligence units, the RSAF's aircraft, the ALTaCC and GBAD systems, as well as the RSN's platforms.

1. Proficiency and Competency Training. The 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (3 SIB) participated in a Motorised Combined Arms Brigade exercise, conducted in a live-virtual-constructive format involving live execution by soldiers in SWBTA, with virtual and constructive simulation using the Army War-game Simulation System and Next Generation Army Command and Control Information System. Active and NSmen from Headquarters 3 SIB, the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), and 48 SAR, participated in the exercise, and were supported by Combat Engineer, C4I and Combat Service Support elements.
2. Large-Scale Live-Firing. 2 SIR will also participate in a Motorised Battalion live-firing, featuring manoeuvre live-firing with the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle and Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV). The Air-land integrated live-firing will feature the inaugural live-firing by the Belrex PCSV Mortar in SWBTA, supported by the RSAF's AH-64D Apache attack helicopters and F-16D+ jets, with last mile surveillance by 11 C4I Bn's V-15 mUAV.
3. Integrated Cross-Service Training. The Army, RSN and RSAF also conducted large-scale coordinated training to strengthen air-land-sea integration involving ship-to-shore exercises, deck-landing by CH-47F Chinook helicopters and replenishment serials from RSS Resolution, an Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank. The RSAF's GBAD RBS 70 systems also provided air defence protection for Army units during the Motorised Combined Arms Brigade Exercise.

To support the exercises, the SAF has stationed a Forward Support Group (FSG) in SWBTA from the pre-exercise preparation to the post-exercise administration phases of XWB. Throughout this period, the FSG provide medical, logistical, maintenance, and transportation support to training units. They also serve as the primary custodians of the training area, ensuring that training resources are well-managed and all hazards are cleared.

1 The Singapore Army is participating with more than 420 platforms and over 3000 personnel. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is participating with an Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank RSS Resolution and more than 200 personnel. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is participating with 17 aircraft, 8 Ground-Based Air Defence systems and over 750 personnel. The exercise is supported by approximately 150 administrative support personnel.

2 The ALTaCC is part of the RSAF's Participation Command. It plays a pivotal role in managing airspace use for all air participation missions and Ground-Based Air Defence in the area of operations. It also supports the land forces by providing timely, accurate and responsive air power to shape the land battle. The ALTaCC ensures a tighter sensor-to-shooter loop during the execution of integrated fires.