Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Goh Si Hou and Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Chief of Army General (GEN) Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Ahmad Hasbullah bin Hj Mohd Nawawi co-officiated at the closing ceremony of Exercise Semangat Bersatu (XSB) in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia today.

Conducted from 18 to 28 November 2018, this year’s exercise, the 24th edition in the series, saw the participation of about 980 personnel from the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment and the 10th Royal Malay Regiment. The exercise involved the joint planning and execution of a combined battalion mission exercise. There were also opportunities for soldier interactions and professional exchanges between both armies, such as the cross-training of soldiers on both countries’ weapon systems.

BG Goh commended the soldiers for their successful conduct of XSB 2018. He said, “The successful battalion field training exercise has demonstrated the high level of professionalism and cooperation between commanders and soldiers of both armies… the MAF and the SAF enjoy a warm and long-standing relationship. This relationship has been built on many years of extensive cooperation, professional exchanges and a common aim to ensure peace and stability in our region.”

First conducted in 1989, XSB provides an excellent opportunity for both armies to strengthen their professional interactions, and underscores the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia. The SAF and MAF interact regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral exchanges, cross-attendance of courses, and multilateral activities under the ambit of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.