Singapore and US Armies Strengthen Bilateral Defence Ties in Exercise Lightning Strike

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and US Army at the closing ceremony for Exercise Lightning Strike 2025 held in SAFTI City earlier today.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and US Army participating in the small arms live firing.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and US Army receiving a mission brief.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and US Army conducting an assault on an urban objective.

Exercise Lightning Strike (XLS) 2025, an annual bilateral exercise between the Singapore Army and the United States (US) Army, was successfully conducted in Singapore from 4 to 12 November 2025. The exercise involved approximately 500 soldiers from the Singapore Army’s 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (3 SIB), 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), and the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment (1-23 IN BN).

The exercise involved the planning and execution of a combined arms urban operations, which culminated in a joint battalion-level assault on an urban objective. Troops from both armies employed Close Quarter Battle tactics and specialised urban operations equipment to neutralise targets in SAFTI City, supported by drones to enhance situational awareness in a dense and complex urban environment. SAFTI City’s instrumentation provided precise and real-time feedback that sharpened tactics, safety and decision-making for both armies.

During the closing ceremony, Commander, 3 SIB, Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Abu Bakar Bin Abdillah Alkatib said, “By training in a facility like SAFTI City, we were able to replicate the sights, sounds and stresses of a realistic battlefield to hone our soldiers’ tactical responses. Beyond creating a realistic training environment, we used digital tools to track and understand how our soldiers performed, helping everyone learn and improve together. This year’s Exercise Lightning Strike demonstrated our shared commitment to working as one team. Its success is not just about the skills gained – it is also about the friendship and dedication shown by every Lion and Tomahawk on parade.”

Inaugurated in 1996, XLS is conducted on a rotational basis in Singapore and the US. Over the years, it has become a hallmark of the excellent ties between both armies, providing a valuable mutual platform to conduct professional exchanges on tactics, techniques, and procedures.  

The Singapore and US Armies interact extensively through bilateral exercises, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses. These interactions have greatly enhanced the professionalism, interoperability and camaraderie between both armed forces, as well as reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding defence relations between Singapore and the US.