SAF EXPANDS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN GERMANY

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is looking at more opportunities to interact with the German Army. This was said by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen when he visited SAF troops participating in Exercise Panzer Strike at the NATO-Bergen Training Area, Germany, on 23 Apr.

He had earlier witnessed the bilateral live-firing exercise between the 2nd Company of the 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) and the Bundeswehr's 33rd Panzer Battalion, while accompanied by State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Defence Mr R diger Wolf. This is the second consecutive year that Exercise Panzer Strike has included a bilateral live-firing component between the SAF and the German Army.

Describing the exercise as a precious training opportunity, Dr Ng said: "I asked our chaps, many of them full-time National Servicemen (about their experience), and they say (training here compared to in Singapore) is remarkably different. They are firing on the move at higher speeds, crossing different terrains and firing at higher speeds."

He added: "This gives them a boost in confidence in what our tanks can do, and in their own abilities."

Simulating a mission to delay, bait and take down enemy forces, the four-phase live-firing exercise saw SAF troops working together with German troops in a closely coordinated manner. The exercise involved eight of the SAF's Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and four of the Bundeswehr's Leopard 2A6 MBTs.

In the lead-up to the joint live-firing exercise, both armies had exchanged information and climbed on board their counterpart's tanks to find out more about each other's platforms. Both armies had also worked together to execute tactical manoeuvres on the 12-lane range at the NATO-Bergen Training Area.

During his visit, Dr Ng was briefed on the upgrades to the Leopard 2SG MBTs. He also interacted with servicemen from 48 SAR and urged them to hone their skills and maximise this overseas training opportunity.

The exercise director, Chief Armour Officer and Brigadier-General (BG) Siew Kum Wong, noted that training in Germany has helped to build up the professionalism and capabilities of SAF Armour in "leaps and bounds".

"We have achieved an established training system, operationalising our MBTs and building a strong rapport and cooperation with our German Army host at the same time," he said.

BG Siew also said that it was significant that the SAF was training with the German Army, who are established operators of the MBTs. "Only friends who think that you are about the same level will train and fire together.

"Every time we come and take part in a bilateral exercise with them, we have a high reference point to pitch our competencies against and learn from."

This year's exercise involves more than 1,300 armour personnel, 14 Leopard 2SG MBTs and 11 BIONIX I Infantry Fighting Vehicles. From this year onwards, SAF troops will be able to double their training time in Germany as part of a recent agreement.