SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has suspended all large-scale overseas exercises - including its biggest overseas exercise, Exercise Wallaby held in Queensland, Australia - because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement on Tuesday (May 12), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said: "When conditions improve, Singapore may continue with smaller-scale training activities in Australia, in full compliance with their safety requirements to prevent the spread of disease."
Exercise Wallaby, held at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, was inaugurated in 1990.
The exercise is usually held in the later part of the year, lasting up to two months.
Last year's exercise had involved about 3,000 SAF troops, including those from armour and guards, as well as the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The Shoalwater Bay Training Area, about four times the size of Singapore, allows training of a scale and complexity which cannot be done in Singapore.
Previous editions have included integrated air-land live-firing by armoured platforms and attack helicopters.
Mindef had said on April 3 that the SAF would be deferring or cancelling overseas exercises, in a statement announcing additional measures being taken to maintain operational readiness amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
The exercise also allows for bilateral training with the Australian Defence Force.
For instance, Exercise Trident held as part of Wallaby in 2018 featured heli-insertion and ship-to-shore operations, with more than 100 Australian troops.
On Tuesday, the ministry added that it appreciates the strong support of the Australian government, the Australian Department of Defence, Australian Defence Force and the local communities of Rockhampton and Livingstone Shire for the SAF training there over the years.
Mindef said that Singapore's bilateral defence ties with Australia continue to be strong.
"The joint development of training areas and advanced training facilities in central and north Queensland will deepen defence cooperation and benefit both armed forces and defence establishments for many years to come," the ministry said.
Under a treaty signed by defence ministers of both countries in March, the SAF will have access to an expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area, scheduled to be completed by 2024 and the Greenvale Training Area by 2028.
In total, the SAF will be able to conduct training for up to 18 weeks annually, involving up to 14,000 personnel for 25 years when the training areas are completed.
Other than in Australia, the SAF also conducts exercises in countries such as United States, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, New Zealand and Thailand.
Additional reporting by Lim Min Zhang
