Articles
SINGAPORE AIR FORCE CONDUCTS ARTILLERY EXERCISE IN NEW ZEALAND
1 February 2008
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The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting an annual Artillery exercise, codenamed Exercise Thunder Warrior, at the Waiouru Training Area in New Zealand from 15 January to 1 February 08. The SAF has held this exercise annually in New Zealand since 1997.
About 500 personnel from the 23rd and 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery, and a Military Intelligence Battalion are participating in this year's Exercise Thunder Warrior. Besides providing logistical support, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has deployed a battery of 105mm artillery guns from the 16th Field Regiment to participate alongside the SAF troops in the combined live-firing phase of the exercise. This exercise strengthens interoperability between the two armed forces. The SAF assets involved in the live-firing exercise include the FH2000 self-propelled howitzers, PEGASUS - the world's first heli-portable and self-propelled howitzer, with integrated support from weapon locating radars and mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (mini-UAVs).
This exercise is a testimony of the warm and long-standing relations between the SAF and the NZDF. The close cooperation through the years has built strong personal rapport, facilitated the sharing of professional knowledge and enhanced interoperability between the two armed forces.