SAF ARTILLERY TROOPS EXERCISE IN NEW ZEALAND

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting its annual artillery exercise in New Zealand from 15 Jan to 1 Feb.

Exercise Thunder Warrior has been held annually in New Zealand since 1997.

Some 500 troops from the 23rd and 24th Battalions of the Singapore Artillery and a military intelligence battalion are taking part in the exercise.

The FH2000 self-propelled howitzers, the PEGASUS heli-portable and self-propelled howitzers, weapon locating radars and mini-unmanned aerial vehicles are some of the SAF assets deployed for Thunder Warrior.

A battery of 105mm artillery guns from the 16th Field Regiment of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will participate alongside SAF troops in the combined live-firing phase of the exercise.

The NZDF is also providing logistical support for the exercise held at the Waiouru Training Area.

Such close cooperation between the SAF and the NZDF over the years has fostered strong rapport and sharing of professional knowledge between the personnel of both forces.