More than 1,000 troops from US army and SAF carry out exercise in urban warfare
More than 1,000 troops from US army and SAF carry out exercise in urban warfare
SINGAPORE - More than 1,000 troops drawn from the Singapore and US armies executed urban warfare drills with air support from RSAF Apache helicopters and drones during a 12-day b ilateral exercise .
This year, it was Singapore's turn to host Exercise Tiger Balm - the longest-running bilateral exercise that the Republic and US have in place.
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef), in a statement on May 16 , said 823 soldiers from the SAF and 257 soldiers from the US army too part in the exercise.
The SAF troops were drawn from the 6th Singapore Division/Headquarters Sense and Strike (6 Div/HQ SS) and the 7 6th Singapore Infantry Brigade.
The US soldiers came from the Hawaii Army National Guard and the 29th Infantry Battalion Combat Team .
The exercise lasted nearly two weeks - from May 5 to May 16 - during which soldiers ran through combat exercises and other drills, including urban warfare drills in Safti City.
Safti City is a high-tech urban training facility that mimics a densely built-up town, complete with MRT stations, a 12-storey hotel, a school, and malls.
Apart from the AH-64D Apache helicopters and Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle s from the Republic of Singapore Air Force , a Strike Observer Mission team from the army carried out reconnaissance work during the exercise.
On the sidelines, subject matter expert exchanges took place, dealing with the evolution of chemical, biological, radiological and explosive threats.
Brigadier-General Anand Sathi Kumar , commander of 6 Div/HQ SS, said the exercise this year incorporated new urban combat missions and unmanned technologies as part of the training.
The exercise, he added, reaffirmed the deep and strategic partnership between Singapore and the US.
Now into its 44th year , Exercise Tiger Balm was first conducted in 1981.
The Mindef statement said: 'This annual exercise allows both armies to collaborate and share tactics, techniques and procedures, and is the hallmark of the excellent and long-standing ties between both armed forces.
'These regular interactions have fostered and enhanced the professionalism, friendships and mutual understanding among personnel from both armies.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
'They have to think 3D': All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones, says Chan Chun Sing, Singapore News
Many can regale their nephews and nieces with tales of how Basic Military Training (BMT) was like during their time — but things have been quickly changing. Among these changes is the introduction of drones into the military training curriculum, which all recruits will have to learn to operate, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said during his visit to Pulau Tekong on Monday (Aug 4). Chan was making his first visit to the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) BMT Centre (BMTC) alongside Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad where they saw many of the new technological advancements at work, including the drones. "We will always know that no matter how many soldiers we have, we will never fight on the basis that we outnumber others," Chan told the media. "The SAF has always used technology to complement our fighting capabilities at the individual level and at the unit level." In order to do so, the latest advancement to be unveiled is the training of every recruit to be able to make use of drone technology, both for utilisation and to counter the use of drones against Singapore. The first group of soldiers to learn basic drone skills during BMT enlisted in July. Chan also stressed the importance of drone technology — soldiers of the past are trained to be situationally aware on a two-dimensional plane, but the same cannot be applied for urban terrain with unmanned technologies in play, he said. "Training for [utilising] drones isn't just about the technical skills... it is also a larger exercise to train them in their three-dimensional spatial awareness, because when they fight a battle — how they apply their weapon systems — they have to think three dimensional, not just two dimensional." Going forward, using technology will be how the SAF will "multiply our capabilities", Chan said. Soldiers may have only operated with a single rifle in the past, but the future — and present — will see one soldier operating a weapon system and suite of technologies to augment their capabilities, Chan envisioned. "We have evolved the way we apply technology, but there are some things that will never change and must never change in the armed forces," Chan said. "That is the will to fight, the inner spirit, the gumption, the resilience that our soldiers must be equipped with." Personalised training, faster recovery Aside from the drones, Chan also addressed how personalised training can get in BMTC today. Speaking on how training has evolved in recent times, Chan highlighted how trainers can now be informed of the heart rate of an entire platoon of soldiers through smartwatches on each of their wrists. This allows trainers to improve optimisation and safety for soldiers, which expands beyond BMTC and into the units recruits eventually enter, he shared. Chan also emphasised how injury recovery methods have seen similar advancements — utilising data to guide conditioning, recuperation and recovery. In the past, a single injury could set a soldier back on their training while they had to recover, but that may no longer be the case. Presently, even as a soldier's injury recovers, data utilised by physiotherapists under the BMTC's physiotherapy centre allows them to shorten recovery time in a safer process that also permits the soldier to continue their modified course based on their injury. "The faster the soldier can recover, the more optimal his or her performance is, the better we are able to utilise our manpower resources. So that is a very key to how the SAF can optimise our finite manpower resources," Chan added. [[nid:720393]] khooyihang@
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Missing Kenya football tickets blamed on govt protest fears
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Kenya President William Ruto's government has been accused of buying up tickets in the stadium to avoid hostile chants from protestors. NAIROBI – As Kenya prepares its biggest-ever football hosting job this weekend, locals are wondering why they can't buy tickets, with some accusing the government of filling the stadium with its supporters to avoid hostile chants. Kenya has seen multiple deadly protests for more than a year over economic stagnation and police brutality, leaving dozens dead or missing. It is hoping for a more positive vibe as it co-hosts the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with Tanzania and Uganda in August. But local fans are puzzled over the difficulty of securing tickets for Kenya's first match, against Democratic Republic of Congo, at Nairobi's 48,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium on Aug 3. Tickets have been sold out since July 28 evening – the result of a 'more than eager' fanbase, according to Nicholas Musonye, head of the local organising committee. Some die-hard supporters find that hard to believe. 'We haven't found any fan who managed to buy a ticket,' said a Kenyan sports journalist, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals by the government due to the 'political' nature of the issue. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 60 years of building Singapore World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Not 'the end of the story'; some relief in Asia-Pacific over new Trump tariffs but concerns remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city He accuses the government of President William Ruto of buying up tickets in a bid to avoid chants like 'Ruto Must Go' that have become widely used since the protests began. He added that the government was likely handing tickets to people less likely to be critical. PropesaTV, an online media critical of Mr Ruto, told its 150,000 followers on X that the government had 'bought over half of the Kenya v Congo CHAN opening-match tickets in a bid to stop or avoid the chants'. It said tickets were being distributed to 'government supporters' who will be transported to the stadium by bus from Kibera, a huge Nairobi slum that has seen fewer protests against the president than other areas. A resident of the neighbourhood, also asking to remain anonymous, said he saw a 'massive' group of people hired by local officials to 'register' and collect personal data in exchange for tickets to the match. Kariuki Ngunjiri, a national youth leader for the president's party, said he had 'not seen the accusations'. 'Tickets are available online, we are encouraging a lot of people to come in large numbers on Sunday and enjoy the game,' he said, though tickets could not be found then or since by AFP. Kenyan Football Federation president Hussein Mohammed told AFP he was not responsible for ticketing, which falls under Confederation of African Football (CAF). CAF did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, Musonye of the organising committee told the Kenyan parliament that 'the current prevailing situation in the country, concerning the Gen Z protests, has been identified as a potential risk that can affect the safe delivery of the tournament'. AFP
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
World economies reel from Trump's tariffs punch
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Mr Donald Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position. WASHINGTON - Global markets reeled on Aug 1 after President Donald Trump's tariffs barrage against nearly all US trading partners as governments looked down the barrel of a seven-day deadline before higher duties take effect. Mr Trump announced late on July 31 that dozens of economies, including the European Union , will face new tariff rates of between 10 and 41 per cent. However, implementation will be on Aug 7 rather than July 31 as previously announced, the White House said. This gives governments a window to rush to strike deals with Washington setting more favorable conditions. Neighbouring Canada, one of the biggest US trade partners, was hit with 35 per cent levies, up from 25 per cent, effective on Aug 1– but with wide-ranging, current exemptions remaining in place. The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Mr Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position, while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out foreign imports. But the muscular approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy. Stock markets in Hong Kong, London and New York slumped as they digested the turmoil, while weak US employment data added to worries. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Asia-Pacific economies welcome new US tariff rates, but concerns over extent of full impact remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city Singapore Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting twice at Changi Airport Mr Trump's actions come as debate rages over how best to steer the US economy, with the Federal Reserve this week deciding to keep interest rates unchanged, despite massive political pressure from the White House to cut. Data on Aug 1 showed US job growth missing expectations for July, while unemployment ticked up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 per cent. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6 per cent, while the Nasdaq tumbled 2.2 per cent. Mr Trump raised duties on around 70 economies, from a current 10 per cent level imposed in April when he unleashed 'reciprocal' tariffs citing unfair trade practices. The new, steeper levels listed in an executive order vary by trading partner. Any goods 'transshipped' through other jurisdictions to avoid US duties would be hit with an additional 40 per cent tariff, the order said. But Mr Trump's duties also have a distinctly political flavour, with the president using separate tariffs to pressure Brazil to drop the trial of his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He also warned of trade consequences for Canada, which faces a different set of duties, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In targeting Canada, the White House cited its failure to 'cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs' – although Canada is not a major source of illegal narcotics. By contrast, Mr Trump gave more time to Mexico, delaying for 90 days a threat to increase its tariffs from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. But exemptions remain for a wide range of Canadian and Mexican goods entering the United States under an existing North American trade pact. Mr Carney said his government was 'disappointed' with the latest rates hike but noted that with exclusions the US average tariff on Canadian goods remains one of the lowest among US trading partners. With questions hanging over the effectiveness of bilateral trade deals struck – including with the EU and Japan – the outcome of Mr Trump's overall plan remains uncertain. 'No doubt about it – the executive order and related agreements concluded over the past few months tears up the trade rule book that has governed international trade since World War II,' said Ms Wendy Cutler, senior vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On Aug 1, Mr Trump said he would consider distributing a tariff 'dividend' to Americans. Notably excluded from on Aug 1's drama was China, which is in the midst of negotiations with the United States. Washington and Beijing at one point brought tit-for-tat tariffs to triple-digit levels, but have agreed to temporarily lower these duties and are working to extend their truce. Those who managed to strike deals with Washington to avert steeper threatened levies included Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union.
