The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are conducting their flagship bilateral exercise, Exercise Trident, at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area from 6 to 15 November. This year's exercise involves over 1,900 personnel^[1] from the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the ADF.

During the exercise, the SAF and ADF will conduct a battalion-level amphibious operation, including ship-to-shore projections of troops and vehicles using the RSN’s Fast Craft Utility (FCU) and Fast Craft Equipment and Personnel (FCEP) from two Landing Ships Tank (LSTs), RSS Endurance and RSS Persistence. This will be followed by sea resupply operations from the 3rd SAF Transport Battalion’s (3TPT) Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo 5 ton (LARC V). The RSAF will provide integrated support with the deployment of AH-64D helicopters, as well as the inaugural participation of the RSAF's Heron-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); while the CH-47F and H225M helicopters will conduct troop lift from the LSTs. Exercise Trident will culminate in an urban operation executed by troops from the SAF and ADF.

On the sidelines of the exercise, defence scientists from MINDEF’s Future Systems and Technology Directorate and DSO National Laboratories (DSO) partnered the Australian Department of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to conduct Science and Technology (S&T) demonstrations. For the first time, they deployed an integrated network of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles as well as a tactical 5G communications network at the Urban Operations Training Facility to support both SAF’s and ADF’s urban operations. These autonomous vehicles also provide 3D terrain mapping simultaneously to both SAF and ADF personnel at high speed, high bandwidth and low latency.

In addition, the Music and Drama Company will be performing at the Pilbeam Theatre in Rockhampton on 11 and 12 November 2024 and Yeppoon Townhall in Yeppoon on 14 and 15 November 2024 as a gesture of appreciation to the Australian community for their support. The concert will showcase Singapore’s multicultural heritage through songs, stories and dance.

Exercise Trident strengthens cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of Singapore and Australia, and underscores both countries' commitment to enhance the bilateral defence relationship and deepen defence cooperation under the Singapore- Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The SAF and the ADF share a long history of military collaboration, characterised by extensive interactions that include bilateral and multilateral exercises, mutual visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of personnel for professional courses, and joint operational deployments.

[1] XTD 24 involves personnel from the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade; 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards; 3rd SAF Transport Battalion; RSN’s Third Flotilla; RSAF’s helicopters, UAV and Air-Land Tactical Control Centre squadrons; and the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade and 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.