Senior Minister of State for Defence Visits Exercise Thunder Warrior, Reaffirms Close Defence Relations Between Singapore and New Zealand

Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad interacting with soldiers at Exercise Thunder Warrior.

Mr Zaqy (second from left) observing the impact area of the Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer (SSPH) live firing from the observation post.

SSPHs participating in the live firing exercise at the Waiouru Military Training Area, New Zealand.

Mr Zaqy (right), calling on New Zealand’s Associate Minister for Defence, Mr Chris Penk (left).

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops participating in Exercise Thunder Warrior (XTW) in New Zealand today. First held in 1997, XTW is an artillery live firing exercise conducted at the Waiouru Military Training Area. This year’s edition is taking place from 14 January to 14 February 2026, and will involve more than 420 personnel from the 244th (244SA) and 24th Battalions (24SA), Singapore Artillery.

During the visit, Mr Zaqy observed the integrated battalion live firing involving the Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer (SSPH), and supported by the Weapon Locating Radar and Field Artillery Meteorological System (FAMS). Mr Zaqy commended the SAF personnel. “I am heartened to see the commitment of our SAF service personnel, training and performing well in a challenging operational environment. The safe and successful conduct of the exercise and today’s live firing demonstrates the competence and operational readiness of our SAF, and especially so our NS units,” he said.

Earlier today, Mr Zaqy also had a call with New Zealand’s Associate Minister for Defence, Mr Chris Penk. Both parties reaffirmed the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and New Zealand. They discussed ways to deepen defence cooperation in line with the recent upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including in the areas of unmanned systems and supply chain resilience. Mr Zaqy also expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s steadfast support for the SAF’s training.

Both defence establishments interact extensively through exercises, cross-attendance of courses, visits and professional exchanges, including under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. These interactions strengthen people-to-people ties and have fostered mutual trust and understanding between personnel in both armed forces.