The Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army (RTA) concluded this year’s bilateral army exercise, codenamed Kocha Singa, earlier this afternoon. The closing ceremony was officiated by Commander Army Training and Doctrine Command Brigadier-General (BG) Lim Hock Yu and RTA Deputy Commander-in-Chief General (GEN) Udomdej Sitabutr in Trang, Thailand. During the closing ceremony, BG Lim spoke about the close defence relations that the two armies have forged over the years. He said, “As I witnessed this morning’s joint attack, I am convinced that this exercise has been a success. The well-coordinated and executed operation between our two units is a demonstration of the high level of interoperability between our two armies.”The exercise, the 16th in the series, was held in Thailand from 2 to 11 Mar 2014 and involved more than 800 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces’ 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment and the RTA’s 1st Infantry Battalion from the 2nd Infantry Regiment. The exercise included professional sharing of knowledge on weapons systems, urban operations training and a combined field exercise.

Exercise Kocha Singa underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties between Singapore and Thailand. The exercise also serves to enhance the interoperability between the two armies. Both armies also interact regularly through professional exchanges, visits and courses. These interactions serve to strengthen the professionalism, friendship and mutual understanding among their personnel.