SAF Strengthened Defence Partnerships Through Exercise Suman Warrior 2025

Participants from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) armies at Exercise Suman Warrior 2025. (Photo courtesy of: New Zealand Defence Force)

Participants from the FPDA armies coordinating the details of the operation plan for the Command Post Exercise (CPX).

LTC Bani Faizal, Commanding Officer of the 730th Battalion, Singapore Guards (centre) exchanges the traditional Māori greeting known as the “hongi”.

LTC Bani Faizal (first from right) joining representatives of other FPDA nations at the closing ceremony of Exercise Suman Warrior.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participated in the 33^rd edition of Exercise Suman Warrior (XSW), a Five-Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) land-focused exercise. This year’s XSW was hosted by the New Zealand (NZ) Army at Linton Military Camp in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Held from 3 to 13 November 2025, about 140 participants from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom took part in a Brigade Command Post Exercise (CPX). Focusing on conventional operations, the exercise provided opportunites for participants to practise command, staff, and logistics procedures. This has enhanced interoperability, and knowledge of tactics and operational staff procedures among the different forces. 

This year’s 24-man SAF delegation was led by LTC Bani Faizal, Commanding Officer of 730^th Battalion, Singapore Guards. He said, “Our participation in Exercise Suman Warrior reflects Singapore’s continued commitment to working closely with our partner militaries. Training with partner forces deepens mutual trust, understanding, and respect - the very qualities that sustain enduring friendships, and enhance interoperability and operational excellence. The exercise continues to provide an invaluable platform for professional interaction and knowledge exchange among the FPDA land forces.”

Formed in 1971, the FPDA has evolved continually to adapt to the increasingly complex regional security environment. In addition to Exercise Suman Warrior, the SAF regularly participates in other FPDA exercises such as Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield. Through these FPDA exercises, the SAF continues to demonstrate its commitment to contributing constructively to the regional security architecture.