Training set to begin in new SAFTI City & battle circuits

While the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has built up a modern suite of capabilities against threats in the air, land, sea and cyberspace, it is ultimately only as strong as its people.

This is why the SAF has made sizeable investments in building up infrastructure to train its national servicemen and Regulars, said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.

He was speaking at the Committee of Supply Debate on the defence budget in Parliament on 28 Feb.

These infrastructure include Phase 1 of SAFTI City, together with three Instrumented Battle Circuits (iBACs), which will progressively open for training this year.

Smart targetry "shoot-back" capabilities

The first of the three iBACs to be ready is the Murai Urban Battle Circuit (MUBC).

Located within the same area as the Murai Urban Training Facility, the MUBC is equipped with smart targetry "shoot-back" systems (SBS) and realistic battlefield effects to create an immersive training environment.

With the SBS, the targets will be able to fire at soldiers and be fired upon, said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lim Zhifeng at a media brief on 27 Feb.

The 41-year-old Head of Training Capability Development Branch from Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command explained that this capability was important to hone the tactical responses of the soldiers and enhance their combat performance.

During training, soldiers will put on the laser-based Tactical Engagement System (TES) before engaging their targets. These targets will emit sounds and light to simulate shooting back at the troops.

Static, moving & virtual targets

There are a total of four different types of SBS targets – the Static 2D Human Target, the Static 3D Mannequin Target, the Mobile 3D Human Target and the Virtual Avatar System.

Designed to provide flexibility for deployment in confined spaces, the Static 2D Human Target can quickly flip up or turn around to mimic sudden combat movements. It also simulates body heat, allowing soldiers to train with their Night Fighting Equipment.

The 3D Mannequin Target, which also emits the human thermal signature, can stand, sit, squat, kneel and prone – like an enemy in different fighting postures.

The Mobile 3D Human Target is a target on wheels meant to simulate enemy patrols and reinforcements. With movements based on pre-planned routes, it can operate at a speed of up to 10kmh.

It is also equipped with safety features. This includes the use of Light Detection and Ranging for collision avoidance, as well as a physical emergency stop button that is easily accessible.

The last of the four is the Virtual Avatar System (VAS).

Configurable with a series of interchangeable and complex scenarios, the VAS features numerous hostage and enemy situations, and can even be adjusted based on the response of the training troops.

The video characters on screen are also integrated with SBS capabilities, allowing them to "fire" back at the soldiers.

"With multiple enemies, the VAS trains soldiers' decision-making abilities in a dynamic operational environment," explained LTC Lim.

Safe & realistic battlefield effects

As part of enhancing training realism, the MUBC also engages the senses through the use of Battlefield Effect Simulators (BES). This is instead of simply relying on verbal cues from instructors or the use of pyrotechnics.

The BES simulates sights, sounds and effects that soldiers may encounter in a combat situation – such as blast, smoke and being fired on.

From water-based, non-toxic smoke generators to muzzle flashes similar to that of a machine gun, this will help to shape soldiers' instincts in a realistic but safe environment, said LTC Lim.

Using data for evidence-based feedback

All these new and improved training targets and effects also come with an equally advanced debriefing tool.

The Exercise Control System (EXCON) employs the use of data analytics as well as user-centric debriefing tools to provide timely and objective feedback.

It comprises two systems – the Battle Circuit EXCON (B-CON) and the Instructor EXCON (I-CON).

The former is a desktop version of the EXCON and allows for planning and monitoring of the training sessions. The latter is a tablet version that allows instructors to control the targets and BES remotely.

Apart from recording training observations, the I-CON provides real-time access to training performance data. For instance, it shows the number of casualties, accuracy of firing and the time taken to complete drills, in order to provide timely debriefs.

Instructors can also playback troops' movements, enabling data and evidence-based learning on the spot.

"The MUBC offers a smart and interactive way of training, with enhanced training realism and outcome. Most importantly, it allows us to conduct our training safely," said LTC Lim.

Troops will begin training at MUBC from April, while the other two iBACs at Ama Keng and Pasir Laba will be ready by mid-2024.

MUBC focuses on urban operations while the facility at Ama Keng caters for platform training. The iBAC at Pasir Laba will mainly train troops for jungle operations.

When ready, up to 22,000 soldiers are expected to train at each site in a year.

Training area 10 times the size of Singapore

Over in Australia, the expansion of Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) has nearly been completed.

Last year, the SAF deployed close to 4,300 personnel and 450 platforms to SWBTA for the largest edition of Exercise Wallaby.

With the expanded training grounds, the scale of this year's Exercise Wallaby will be increased by close to 50 percent, said Dr Ng during the budget debate.

The training duration will also be increased – from six to nine weeks.

With the development of the adjacent Greenvale Training Area, the combined training area will be 10 times the size of Singapore.

This means that the SAF can deploy up to 14,000 personnel and 2,400 vehicles and equipment annually in Australia, added Dr Ng.

The expansion of SWBTA also boasts new and improved administrative and medical facilities for SAF personnel.

Ready for disruptions

On the digital front, Dr Ng noted that when the SAF digital range is completed in 2026, it will allow the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) to scale as well as add complexity and realism to training for its cyber defenders.

Last November, the DIS organised the Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX). More than 200 cyber defenders from 26 national agencies took part in the second edition of the exercise; the first was held in 2022.

Fending off attacks on water distribution, power and 5G telecommunication systems, these cyber defenders put their minds and skills together to defend critical infrastructure.

In his budget debate speech, Dr Ng highlighted the need for the SAF to invest not just in upgrading its platforms and capabilities, but also its people. "If Singaporeans will or cannot defend Singapore, there is no backstop.

"A strong SAF acts as a deterrence against aggression towards us and keeps adventurism at bay."

It's a FACE-OFF! Find out who's the quickest gun in the west as we try out the Murai Urban Battle Circuit: