SAF concludes military exercise with armies of Britain, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand

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icsuman21 - Participants from the FPDA armies coordinating the details of the operation plan for the Battle Group Exercise.

PHOTO: MINDEF

Participants from the FPDA armies coordinating the details of the operation plan for the battle group exercise.

PHOTO: MINDEF

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SINGAPORE – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has concluded joint training in the UK, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Sept 21.

Exercise Suman Warrior, held from Sept 9 to 22, is focused on combined conventional land operations.

Hosted by the British Armed Forces in Warminster, Wiltshire, it was conducted as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), and also involved participants from Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Training between the FDPA countries ended on Sept 20.

A 28-man SAF delegation, led by 703rd Battalion commanding officer Colin Yew from the Singapore Infantry Regiment, took part in the exercise.

“Exercise Suman Warrior continues to provide an invaluable platform for professional interaction and knowledge exchange between the FPDA land forces. Working closely together during the exercise allowed us to enhance interoperability and build strong friendships,” Lieutenant-Colonel Yew said.

The FPDA, which was set up in 1971, continually adapts to remain relevant and effective in an increasingly complex regional security environment, said Mindef.

Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Yew (far left) with representatives of other FPDA nations at the opening ceremony of Exercise Suman Warrior  – which began on Sept 9 – in Wiltshire in the UK.

PHOTO: MINDEF

The SAF regularly takes part in other FPDA exercises, like Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield, which continue to contribute to the regional security architecture.

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