SAF Participates in FPDA Exercise in Darwin, Australia

Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR), LTC Tay Jian Hua (first from left) joining representatives of other FPDA nations at the closing ceremony of Exercise Suman Warrior 2023 in Darwin, Australia.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participated in the 31st edition of Exercise Suman Warrior (XSW), a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) land exercise. This year's edition was hosted by the Australian Defence Force in Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Australia, from 6 to 17 November 2023. The Brigade Command Post Exercise involved about 135 participants from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, and was focused on combined conventional operations.

The 26-man SAF delegation was led by Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR), LTC Tay Jian Hua. He said, "As the first face-to-face Exercise Suman Warrior held after the COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise continues to provide an invaluable platform for professional interaction and exchange amongst the FPDA Land Forces. It enabled us to enhance cooperation and interoperability between our armies. The strong friendships forged with our counterparts will certainly strengthen our military ties in the years to come."

Formed in 1971, the FPDA has evolved over the years to stay relevant in the face of an increasingly complex regional security environment. Apart from Exercise Suman Warrior, the SAF participates regularly in other FPDA exercises such as Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield. Through such exercises, the FPDA will continue to contribute constructively to the regional security architecture.

Participants from the FPDA armies discussing coordination details of the operation plan during the Command Post Exercise.

Personnel from the FPDA militaries participating in Exercise Suman Warrior 2023 in Darwin, Australia.