Singapore Army, Navy conclude military drills in Indonesia involving 13 countries, including US

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has completed a multilateral military exercise, training alongside troops from Australia, Indonesia and the United States, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Monday (Aug 15). 

Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2022 was held in Indonesia from Aug 1 to Aug 14 and involved assets and personnel from 13 countries.

Until this year, only the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) participated in the annual drills. 

The "expanded scope" of the exercise saw many countries, including Singapore, participating or observing for the first time, said MINDEF.

The Singapore Army participated in a staff planning exercise that culminated in a field training exercise with the Australian Army, INDOPACOM and TNI. 

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) took part in a series of manoeuvre and communication exercises in the waters around Riau Islands, Batam and Singkep, together with six ships from the Indonesian Navy and the US Navy, MINDEF said. 

The exercises involved the RSN's Endurance-class landing ship tank RSS Resolution and Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme. 

Brigadier-General Adrian Teng, the Assistant Chief of General Staff (Operations)-Designate, said the exercise "allowed participating armed forces to collaborate and share knowledge, enhancing the cooperation among partner nations". 

It was also "a valuable opportunity to train alongside the TNI, INDOPACOM and participating countries, as well as to strengthen professional exchanges and friendships among our armed forces", he added. 

The Defence Ministry said the exercise was "an important platform to promote friendship, mutual understanding, and professional exchanges" among the armed forces of participating countries.