Singapore and Indian Armies Conduct Bilateral Artillery Exercise

The Singapore Armed Forces’ Singapore Light Weight Howitzers firing off in a joint live-firing with the Indian Army at Exercise Agni Warrior 2018.

The Singapore Army and the Indian Army are conducting a bilateral artillery exercise, Exercise Agni Warrior, in Devlali, India, from 12 November to 1 December 2018.  This year’s exercise, the eleventh in the series, involves 175 troops from the 23rd and 24th Battalions, Singapore Artillery, and 80 troops from the Indian Army. The exercise culminated in a joint live-firing involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)’s Singapore Light Weight Howitzer, Field Artillery Meteorological System and the Indian Army’s 155mm Field Howitzer 77B. Through the exercise, the two armies enhanced mutual understanding and interoperability, and built strong professional ties.

Held in India since 2004, Exercise Agni Warrior is conducted under the ambit of the Army Bilateral Agreement. The Bilateral Agreement, renewed on 20 November 2018 at the 3rd India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, enables the conduct of the Singapore Army’s artillery and armour training in India and facilitates increased interactions between both armies. The renewal of the Army Bilateral Agreement is testament to the strong and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and India. At the armed forces level, the SAF and the Indian Armed Forces share a long history of military cooperation, with regular interaction through exercises, military exchanges, visits, courses and other professional exchanges.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army interacting with the chief artillery instructor of the Indian Army in an informal exchange.