SAF increases armour training in Germany
AsiaOne
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013
SINGAPORE Armed Forces (SAF) Armour units will now be able to double their training time in Germany due to a recent agreement.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who visited SAF troops participating in Exercise Panzer Strike at the NATO-Bergen Training Area in Germany on April 23, emphasised the importance of overseas training in providing realistic training opportunities for the SAF to hone its operational readiness.
Dr Ng said, "I think all servicemen recognise and realise that they have to optimise these very precious training resources. It makes a big difference for them, they know that that once they have done this, they are very confident that they can fire accurately on the move and they are confident as a crew.
"I think that is something they have achieved that cannot be taken away from them - that they feel very confident of themselves."
During his visit, Dr Ng was briefed on the conduct of the exercise and witnessed a successful bilateral live-firing involving the 2nd Company of the 48th Battalion of the Singapore Armoured Regiment and their German counterparts from the Bundeswehr's 33rd Panzer Battalion.
Both armies had been engaged in rigorous training and exchange of pointers in the lead-up to the joint exercise, which involved the execution of tactical manoeuvres.
Exercise Panzer Strike is the fifth in the series and has included a bilateral live-firing component for the second consecutive year.
It will involve more than 1,300 armour personnel, 14 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks and 11 Bionix I Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
[email protected]
AsiaOne
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013
SINGAPORE Armed Forces (SAF) Armour units will now be able to double their training time in Germany due to a recent agreement.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who visited SAF troops participating in Exercise Panzer Strike at the NATO-Bergen Training Area in Germany on April 23, emphasised the importance of overseas training in providing realistic training opportunities for the SAF to hone its operational readiness.
Dr Ng said, "I think all servicemen recognise and realise that they have to optimise these very precious training resources. It makes a big difference for them, they know that that once they have done this, they are very confident that they can fire accurately on the move and they are confident as a crew.
"I think that is something they have achieved that cannot be taken away from them - that they feel very confident of themselves."
During his visit, Dr Ng was briefed on the conduct of the exercise and witnessed a successful bilateral live-firing involving the 2nd Company of the 48th Battalion of the Singapore Armoured Regiment and their German counterparts from the Bundeswehr's 33rd Panzer Battalion.
Both armies had been engaged in rigorous training and exchange of pointers in the lead-up to the joint exercise, which involved the execution of tactical manoeuvres.
Exercise Panzer Strike is the fifth in the series and has included a bilateral live-firing component for the second consecutive year.
It will involve more than 1,300 armour personnel, 14 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks and 11 Bionix I Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
[email protected]
