Remaining Ready, Relevant and Resilient: The SAF Exercises Ops Readiness Across All Services

Personnel from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) responding to an activation of the AH-64D Apache helicopters against a simulated air defence threat as part of Exercise Rover.

Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing receiving a brief on how RSAF personnel converted the outfield location into a temporary helicopter operations area as part of Exercise Rover.

RSAF medics and aircrew performing a simulated casualty evacuation at a part of Sembawang Country Club golf course, which was converted into a temporary helicopter deployment area, as part of Exercise Rover.

ADF troops mounting the Singapore Army's Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles during their exercise.

Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing visited high readiness units from the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) to observe their routine readiness training on 27 May 2025. Mr Chan also visited Exercise Rover, where the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s Air Power Generation Command converted an outfield location into a temporary helicopter operations area. 

During his visit, Mr Chan witnessed the SAF’s Army Deployment Force (ADF)’s readiness training which exercises the unit’s response to peacetime contingencies. The ADF is a high readiness unit equipped with niche skills and capabilities to carry out a diverse range of operations, including responses to homeland security threats and disaster relief. The ADF also integrates with various SAF Task Forces and Home Team agencies for decisive and coordinated multi-agency response to peacetime contingencies. 

Mr Chan observed the conduct of the RSN’s Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) readiness training, where a simulated terrorist attack against Singapore from the sea was neutralised. MSTF works closely with Whole-of-Government maritime agencies 24/7 to protect Singapore against maritime threats and ensure the free flow of shipping and trade through our waters and into our ports. 

As part of his visit to the DIS’s Joint Intelligence Command (JIC), Mr Chan was briefed on JIC’s intelligence support for counter-terrorism operations. He also interacted with JIC personnel who conduct 24/7 intelligence monitoring to aid in early warning and decision-making for the SAF’s operations.

At Exercise Rover, Mr Chan viewed the activation of the AH-64D Apache helicopters from a temporary helicopter operations area in response to a simulated air defence threat, which showcased the RSAF’s operational agility and readiness in safeguarding Singapore’s air space. Part of the Sembawang Country Club golf course was converted into a temporary helicopter landing site at the start of the exercise, capable of supporting a range of helicopter missions such as air defence and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.

Mr Chan was accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Defence Mr Desmond Choo, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Mr Melvyn Ong, and other senior MINDEF/SAF officers during the visit.

The Accompanying Sea Security Teams (ASSeTs) conducting search operations on a simulated hostile vessel. With the rest of the Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), they deter threats and safeguard Singapore’s vital sea lanes as part of our maritime security efforts.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: Exercise Rover 2025