Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops this afternoon at an artillery live-firing exercise, codenamed Thunder Warrior, at the Waiouru Training Area in New Zealand. The exercise is being held from 16 to 28 January 2015. During his visit, Dr Maliki witnessed an artillery live-firing exercise involving Operationally-Ready National Servicemen from the 286th Battalion, Singapore Artillery and gunners from the 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery. About 550 SAF soldiers participated in the exercise along with their counterparts from the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Army. Some of the platforms involved in this exercise include the Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer Primus and the Artillery Hunting Radar (ARTHUR) Weapon Locating Radar.

Ex Thunder Warrior, which has been conducted annually in New Zealand since 1997, underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand. The SAF and the New Zealand Defence Force interact extensively through a wide range of bilateral and multilateral training exercises, professional exchanges, visits and courses. Both armed forces also interact regularly under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus. These interactions have helped enhance the interoperability and mutual understanding among the personnel of the two armed forces.