Singapore (VNA) - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China are conducting the seventh joint training exercise, Exercise Cooperation, in Singapore from December 10 to 17.
The exercise involves 90 personnel from the SAF’s third Singapore Division and first Commando Battalion, and 90 from the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command Army’s 74th Army Group.
It features a battalion-level field training exercise at Safti City for the first time. Safti City, Singapore’s first high-rise urban training facility, is equipped with smart instrumentation to provide real-time feedback to support training for a wider range of operations, including counter-terrorism.
During the exercise, participants from both armies also engage in tactical drills, small-arms live firing, use of drones for basic reconnaissance and patrol, and cohesion activities.
At the opening ceremony on December 10, the Chief of Staff of the third Singapore Division, Colonel Yow Thiam Poh, said Exercise Cooperation demonstrates the warm and friendly defence ties between Singapore and China.
“It builds mutual trust between the PLA and the Singapore Army, and allows our people from both sides to strengthen relationships and build bonds,” he noted.
His counterpart, the Brigade Commander of the 74th Army Group, Senior Colonel Chen Wenyan, said he hopes that all participants will uphold combat standards on the field, and that they will take the opportunity to sharpen their skills and enhance operational competencies./.
