Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops participating in Exercise Wallaby 2023 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia today.

During his visit, Mr Zaqy was briefed on the conduct of the exercise, and witnessed a Motorised Battalion Live Firing exercise involving the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and the Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV). The exercise also featured an air-land integrated live firing by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s AH-64D Apache attack helicopter and F-16D+ Fighters, and the Army's Belrex PCSV Mortar. Mr Zaqy took a familiarisation ride on the Terrex ICV, and interacted with exercise participants from the 2nd Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (2SIR) and RSAF's Oakey Detachment.

Mr Zaqy also took a flight on the RSAF's CH-47F over the SWBTA to appreciate the progress of the joint development of the expanded SWBTA, which is on track for completion in 2024. Once completed, advanced training facilities such as an Urban Operations Live Firing Facility and the Combined Arms Air-Land Range can be used by the SAF and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to conduct large-scale integrated exercises and live firings in a realistic urban environment. These facilities will benefit both the SAF and the ADF.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Mr Zaqy highlighted the value of the SAF's overseas training areas as a key enabler of realistic and high quality training for the SAF, and expressed his appreciation for Australia's strong support for the SAF's training in SWBTA. He said, "Exercise Wallaby has enabled the SAF to conduct complex and large-scale exercises in an area 4 times the size of Singapore. This year, we have units from the Army, Air Force, as well as the Navy in various exercises, including the involvement of the RSAF's F-16 fighters. I am also pleased to update that the development of the SWBTA is on track to be completed next year. With this, we are in a good position to continue to allow NSFs and NSmen to experience more large-scale exercises in a realistic urban environment. Such overseas training opportunities will ensure that the SAF remains effective and capable in defending Singapore when the need arises. We thank the Australian government, the ADF, and the local communities for supporting us, and being wonderful hosts for the last 33 years."

Exercise Wallaby is the SAF's largest unilateral overseas exercise. This year's exercise, conducted from 7 Sep to 15 Oct, involves more than 4000 personnel and 300 platforms from the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and RSAF.

Inaugurated in 1990, this year's exercise marks the 33rd anniversary of the SAF's training in SWBTA, and underscores the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Australia. The defence establishments of both countries have a long history of cooperation, with extensive interactions between the SAF and ADF such as bilateral and multilateral exercises, mutual visits, professional exchanges and the cross exchange of courses.

While in Queensland, Mr Zaqy also hosted a dinner for local stakeholders from Rockhampton, Gladstone and Livingstone Shire and personnel from the Australian Department of Defence and ADF to express Singapore's appreciation for their strong and long-standing support of Singapore's training in Australia. The dinner was also attended by Australian Assistant Minister for Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and the Republic Matt Thistlethwaite.