Singapore and Australia Conduct Bilateral Armour Exercise

Singapore Armed Forces (right) and Australian Defence Force (left) Main Battle Tanks involved in a manoeuvre exercise.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducted a bilateral armour exercise, codenamed Matilda, from 16 to 17 September 2013 at the Mount Bundey Training Area in Darwin, Australia. About 100 personnel from the 48th battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) and their Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) are involved in the training with their ADF counterparts from the 1st Armoured Regiment.

During the exercise, both forces had a professional exchange on MBT doctrine and operations, and conducted a series of tactical missions together. The exercise culminated today in manoeuvre training between the MBTs of both armies. Prior to the exercise, the troops conducted MBT training from 2 to 15 September 2013 in tank gunnery skills and tactical manoeuvre.

On the significance of the exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Koh Kian Wee, Commanding Officer of 48 SAR, said, "Exercise Matilda is an excellent opportunity for our Army and the ADF to come together to share professional insights and to build rapport. It allows our soldiers to hone their gunnery skills and manoeuvre under challenging and realistic conditions."

Exercise Matilda is testament to the close and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Australia. The SAF and the ADF interact extensively through bilateral and multilateral training exercises, mutual visits, professional exchanges and cross attendances of courses. The two armed forces have also worked together in close partnership in the multinational reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

The Singapore Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force conducted a bilateral exercise, codenamed Matilda, from 16 to 17 September 2013 at the Mount Bundey Training Area in Australia.