Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad Visits Bilateral Live-Firing Exercise in the US

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad engaging personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participating in Exercise Daring Warrior 2022 (XDW22).

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad visited Exercise Daring Warrior in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, United States (US) yesterday (Singapore time) to witness the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the US Army's combined live-firing exercise. Held from 28 August to 20 September 2022, the exercise involves approximately 180 SAF and US Army personnel, as well as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) operated by the 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery and the Multiple Launch Rocket Systems operated by the US Army's 3-13th Field Artillery Regiment.

During his visit, Mr Zaqy received a brief on the conduct of the exercise and witnessed the precision strike capabilities of the HIMARS. Mr Zaqy also interacted with servicemen and women participating in the exercise and thanked them for their commitment and dedication. Speaking after his visit, Mr Zaqy expressed confidence in the SAF's operational capabilities and highlighted the importance of overseas training opportunities for the SAF. He said, "I witnessed first-hand through today's live-firing exercise how the SAF uses such valuable training opportunities to conduct realistic and complex training that cannot be replicated in Singapore due to our space constraints. The exercise with the US Army has not only deepened cooperation between the two armies, but also has allowed the SAF to benchmark itself against its counterpart. I want to thank servicemen and women from the Singapore Artillery deployed here for their dedication and service. During my visit, I witnessed a high level of proficiency and a strong level of teamwork amongst our personnel as they conducted the live-firing exercise. I am confident in their commitment and abilities to defend Singapore when called upon."

Conducted since 2010, this year's exercise marks the ninth edition of Exercise Daring Warrior and underscores the excellent and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and the US. The SAF's training in the US provides valuable opportunities for professional exchanges between the two armed forces, which has strengthened cooperation and deepened people-to-people ties. The vast training space in the US also allows the SAF to conduct realistic training to sharpen operational competencies and enhance operational readiness.

The SAF's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) firing off a rocket during the bilateral live-firing exercise.

Mr Zaqy viewing a distant target through the Binocular Goniometer.

Mr Zaqy observing the STrike ObserveR Mission (STORM) Team's fire mission.

Mr Zaqy taking a group photo with soldiers from 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery after the live-firing exercise.