Singapore, Thailand and the United States Participate in 32nd Edition of Exercise Cope Tiger

Exercise Cope Tiger (XCT) 2026 participants from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and United States Air Force (USAF) planning for a mission.

The RSAF and RTAF fighter aircraft participating in the field training exercise while the USAF partakes in the ground programme and subject matter expert exchange. (Credit: RTAF)

XCT26 Exercise Directors (from left) Lieutenant Colonel Brian G. Lewis, USAF; Group Captain Nat Kamintra, RTAF; and Colonel Gabriel Yam, RSAF at Korat Air Base in Thailand.

RSAF personnel providing medical services for the local community in Korat, Thailand.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) are participating in the 32nd edition of Exercise Cope Tiger. Held from 15 to 27 March 2026, this trilateral exercise is being conducted at Korat Air Base and Chandy Range in Thailand.

The RSAF is participating with 30 aircraft, 12 ground-based air defence systems, and more than 700 personnel. The exercise participants will engage in large-scale air combat missions in a realistic training environment to sharpen their professional competencies. In addition, the exercise participants will take part in a two-day joint socio-civic programme to engage and contribute to the local communities and schools in the vicinity of Korat Air Base and Chandy Range.

Highlighting the significance of the RSAF’s participation in Exercise Cope Tiger, the RSAF’s Exercise Director, Colonel Gabriel Yam said, “Exercise Cope Tiger provides invaluable training opportunities for our airmen and women. The RSAF’s annual participation in this trilateral exercise allows our personnel to hone our combat readiness in air defence, strike, and unmanned aerial vehicle operations over a large overland training airspace. This exercise continues to strengthen the defence relations between the three participating nations.”

Singapore’s Chief of Air Force, Major-General Kelvin Fan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Kantha, and Chief of Staff of the Pacific Air Forces, Brigadier General Shane S. Vesley will co-officiate the exercise's closing ceremony on 27 March 2026.

Since its inception in 1994, Exercise Cope Tiger has sought to enhance the professionalism and defence relations among Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, and forge closer rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel.