Singapore and US Armies Successfully Conclude Exercise Tiger Balm 2025

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and the United States (US) Army coordinating during an integrated urban operations mission at SAFTI City.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army executing an integrated urban operations mission at SAFTI City.

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

Singapore Army and US Army soldiers participating in a Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defence Subject Matter Expert Exchange.

The Singapore Army and the United States (US) Army successfully conducted the 44th edition of Exercise Tiger Balm. Exercise Tiger Balm 2025, a Brigade-level exercise, was held from 5 to 16 May 2025. It involved 823 personnel from the 6th Singapore Division/Headquarters Sense & Strike (6 Div/HQ SS) and 76th Singapore Infantry Brigade, as well as 257 personnel from the Hawaii Army National Guard and the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The exercise saw both armies execute an integrated urban operations exercise in SAFTI City under the ambit of a Combined Task Force supported by the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s AH-64D Apache Helicopters, Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, as well as the Army’s Strike Observer Mission (STORM)¹ team. This strengthened the interoperability between both countries and air-land integration within the Singapore Armed Forces. In addition, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges on Counter-Improvised Explosive Device and Chemical, Biological and Radiological Defence operations were conducted on the sidelines of the exercise, allowing both armies to sharpen their capabilities to meet evolving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive threats.

Speaking on the significance of the exercise, Commander of 6 Div/HQ SS Brigadier General Anand Sathi Kumar said, “Exercise Tiger Balm is founded on strong and long-standing ties between both armies and nations. This year, we have incorporated new urban combat missions and unmanned technologies as part of our training in the new SAFTI City. It demonstrates our shared resolve and commitment to strengthen interoperability, and reaffirms our deep and strategic partnership.”

First conducted in 1981, Exercise Tiger Balm is the longest-running bilateral exercise between the Singapore Army and US Army. This annual exercise allows both armies to collaborate and share tactics, techniques and procedures, and is the hallmark of the excellent and long-standing ties between both armed forces. Both armies also interact extensively through professional exchange programmes, cross-attendance of courses, and other bilateral and multilateral exercises. These regular interactions have fostered and enhanced the professionalism, friendships and mutual understanding among personnel from both armies.

¹ STORM conducts reconnaissance on enemy assets and locations.