SAF and PLA to Conduct Bilateral Exercise Cooperation 2024

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct the sixth edition of the bilateral Exercise Cooperation in Zhumadian City, Henan, China, from 17 to 28 November 2024.

This year’s exercise will centre on urban Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations, similar to the previous iteration of the exercise in 2023. Personnel from the SAF's 3rd Singapore Division and 1st Commando Battalion will train alongside the PLA’s Central Theatre Command-Army’s 81st Army Group. The exercise will feature a battalion-level Command Post and Field Training Exercise, as well as professional exchanges on CT operations in support of a rescue scenario. Participants will also engage in tactical drills, small-arms live firing, and cohesion activities. These interactions aim to strengthen professional exchanges and build people-to-people ties.

Exercise Cooperation is part of the SAF’s efforts to conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises with foreign armed forces to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with a range of international partners. This exercise underscores the warm and friendly defence relations between Singapore and China. Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level engagements, mutual visits, cross-attendance of courses as well as academic exchanges.