Singapore and Thai Armies Successfully Conclude Exercise Kocha Singa 2024

Chief of Army Major-General David Neo (front, right) co-officiating the Exercise Kocha Singa closing ceremony with Commander-in-Chief Royal Thai Army (RTA) General Pana Klaewblaudtuk (front, left) this afternoon at Khao Kamphaeng Training Area in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

The Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army (RTA) successfully conducted the 24th edition of Exercise Kocha Singa in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, from 7 to 15 November 2024. Chief of Army Major-General (MG) David Neo and Commander-in-Chief RTA General (GEN) Pana Klaewblaudtuk co-officiated the closing ceremony at the Khao Kamphaeng Training Area earlier today.

Held annually, this year’s Exercise Kocha Singa involved approximately 325 personnel from the Singapore Army’s 40th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment and the RTA’s 3rd Infantry Battalion from the 29th Infantry Brigade. The exercise comprised a field training exercise involving jungle survival, live-firing, urban operations and drone deployments, professional and cultural exchanges, and culminated in a joint battalion-level assault exercise.

In his closing address, MG Neo underscored the importance of professional exchanges between the two armies. He said, “The RTA and our Singapore Army share a strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, founded on many years of military cooperation, professional exchanges, and strong people-to-people ties. Exercises like this allow our soldiers and units to strengthen professional linkages, exchange best practices, and build bonds that last a lifetime.”   

First held in 1997, Exercise Kocha Singa underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Thailand. Apart from bilateral exercises, both armies also interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges, and the cross-attendance of courses.  

The Singapore Army soldiers conducting weapons training with the RTA soldiers.

The Singapore Army soldiers participating in urban operations in XKS24.

A Singapore Army soldier engaging in field training with an RTA soldier.