SAF Strengthened International Partnerships at Exercise Suman Warrior 2026

Participants at the XSW26, held at the Joint Warfare Centre, JFHQ in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Daniel Lim, Chief of Staff, 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (left) discussing exercise plans with participants at XSW26.

SAF personnel sharing exercise plans to other participants as part of the Command Post Exercise.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participated in the 34th edition of Exercise Suman Warrior (XSW), a Five-Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) land-focused exercise. This year's XSW was hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces at the Joint Warfare Centre, Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Held from 14 to 24 September 2026, about 150 participants from FPDA member nations took part in a Brigade Command Post Exercise (CPX). The exercise focused on conventional operations and provided opportunities for participants to exercise command decision-making and staff procedures within a combined operations mission context.

This year's 18-man SAF delegation was led by Senior Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Lim Kim Soon, Daniel, Chief of Staff, 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade. He said, "The SAF's participation in XSW reflects our continued commitment to working closely with our partners to promote regional cooperation and professional exchange. Through XSW, we build the trust and confidence needed to strengthen interoperability and enhance our ability to conduct combined operations."

Formed in 1971, the FPDA has evolved continually to adapt to an increasingly complex regional security environment. In addition to XSW, the SAF regularly participates in other FPDA exercises such as Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield. Through these FPDA exercises, the SAF demonstrates its continued commitment to contributing constructively to the regional security architecture.