ROCKHAMPTON – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has commenced its largest unilateral overseas exercise in history, involving approximately 6,200 troops at Shoalwater Bay, Australia.

This extensive drill showcases a display of modern warfare capabilities, featuring advanced machinery including H225M helicopters, Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), and next-generation air defense systems like the Python-5 and Derby (Spyder).

For the first time in the annual Exercise Wallaby, around 35 personnel from the SAF's newly established Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) are participating.

Formed in 2022 in response to a surge in cyber threats and misinformation, the DIS marks a crucial step in the transformation of SAF into a technologically advanced fighting force.

Colonel Lim Han Yong, Chief Armour Officer and SAF lead for the exercise, highlighted that the involvement of the DIS underlines the importance of interoperability, emphasizing collaboration between different military branches such as the Army and Air Force.

To further enhance operational effectiveness, DIS troops will deliver critical intelligence and threat analysis to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), signifying the growing importance of data-driven combat in modern warfare.

“The RSAF alone cannot match the detailed analysis the DIS provides,” Colonel Phillip Khoo, the exercise’s air director, stated.

Kicking off on September 8 and running until November 3, this iteration of Exercise Wallaby is approximately three weeks longer than previous years, accommodating 50% more personnel than the last major exercise in 2023.

This extended timeframe has come about due to new arrangements with Australian partners, expanding the exercise's length from six to nine weeks, allowing close to 500 operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) to participate along with an array of military platforms.

Preparation for this massive exercise began well in advance, with SAF troops conducting training conferences and reconnaissance missions as early as the beginning of 2024.

The Shoalwater Bay Training Area, a vast expanse four times larger than Singapore, offers diverse terrain, from beaches to forests, allowing servicemen to effectively utilize their equipment.

Colonel Lim remarked that large-scale, realistic overseas activities are essential for maintaining operational readiness, given Singapore's land constraints.

The unique landscape enables combined arms training and complex integrated live-firing exercises that simply cannot be replicated at home.

Helicopter operations in formations for troop and vehicle air-lifting missions represent part of the comprehensive training regime at Shoalwater Bay.

For many servicemen, including 22-year-old Corporal Harith Amani Sabarudin, this training provides invaluable real-life experience.

He mentioned the adrenaline of navigating challenging terrains compared to simulator training back in Singapore, gaining confidence through direct engagement in the field.

The SAF takes extensive measures to prepare their personnel for the grueling weeks ahead.

Initiatives have included family days to familiarize NSmen’s families with the conditions expected and the duration of their absence, bolstering morale through recorded messages of encouragement from loved ones.

Captain Loy Yong Wei, 27, from the 11C4I battalion, expressed pride in his team for their relentless spirit amidst challenging conditions: “Even though circumstances were tough, no one gave up. I’m really proud of them.”

This monumental exercise not only reinforces the SAF's commitment to enhancing its military readiness but also strengthens Singapore’s defense collaborations, particularly in the context of increasingly complex global security challenges.

As the SAF portrays itself as a formidable force, the success of Exercise Wallaby will serve as a benchmark for future military engagements.