ROCKHAMPTON, Australia — The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting its largest overseas unilateral exercise to date, involving about 6,000 personnel and 1,200 platforms in Queensland, Australia.
The 36th edition of Exercise Wallaby runs from Sept 6 to Nov 2 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), which is about five times the size of Singapore.
The exercise brings together the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), alongside engineers and technologists from the Defence Technology Community (DTC).
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday (Oct 22), Exercise Wallaby Frame 3 director and Commander of the 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade Colonel Joshua Goh said the training area offers opportunities that cannot be replicated in Singapore.
Its vast terrain allows soldiers to operate over longer distances, while its airspace and facilities support integrated training across services.
"Wallaby affords us that space," he said, adding that the SAF needs to explore new capabilities and develop new fighting concepts as modern warfare evolves.
This year's exercise features several milestones, including the first time an operationally ready National Service (NS) armour unit will conduct live-firing using the Armour Live Firing System (ALFS) during Exercise Wallaby.
The 408th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (408 SAR), will conduct integrated live-firing involving its Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the RSAF's AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.
Another milestone will take place on Oct 28, when the 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (5 SIR), conducts platoon urban operations live-firing at SWBTA's Urban Operations Live-Fire Facilities.
It will be the first time full-time national servicemen (NSFs) undergo live-firing at the facilities.
The battalion will also test new operating concepts under the SAF's Next-Generation Infantry Battalion (NGIB), which aims to improve operational flexibility and combat effectiveness.
COL Goh said realistic training remains essential to maintaining operational readiness, with activities supported by careful preparation and safety controls.
For 408 SAR, the exercise builds on four previous in-camp training periods. Meanwhile, 5 SIR's drone teams have undergone theory lessons, simulator training and practical flying before arriving in Australia.
@asiaone [Ex Wallaby 2026] Frame Three Exercise Air Director, LTC Ng Kehang, Exercise Wallaby 2026 and Frame Three Exercise Director, Col Joshua Goh, share why the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) largest overseas unilateral exercise, held annually since 1990, is important for the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the SAF. #sgnews #Singapore #Army #Military #Australia ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
Exercise Wallaby also provides a platform for the SAF and its defence technology partners to test emerging capabilities in realistic field conditions.
Trials include a 5G-enabled Aerial Communications Node, counter-unmanned aircraft systems and digital tools to improve battlefield communications and mission planning.
The RSAF has also trialled an AI-enabled Helicopter Decision Support System with its CH-47F Chinook helicopters to support mission planning and decision-making. This would enable aircrew to save time on coordination, while enhancing effectiveness and lethality on the battlefield.
Another capability being tested is the Digitally-Aided Close Air Support application, jointly developed by the RSAF, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Engineering.
It allows information to be exchanged digitally between ground-based strike controllers and aircraft, improving on coordination through analogue voice communications.
The SAF is also exploring the use of drones launched from CH-47F helicopters to extend aircrew visibility and provide surveillance during complex operations.
Col Goh said partnerships with the DTC allow the SAF to evaluate new technologies and refine how they are used in the field.
"By evaluating such technologies under realistic field conditions, operators and engineers can identify areas for improvement and refine both the systems and how they deploy," he said.
Exercise Wallaby 2026 has also seen increased participation from the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC), with volunteers taking on roles including nurses, radiographers and transport operators.
A Forward Support Group provides medical, logistical, maintenance and transportation support to training units throughout the exercise.
COL Goh said he was proud to see volunteers contribute their professional skills and expertise.
"I'm very proud to see our SAF volunteers contribute their diverse skills and professional expertise in support of the exercise," he said.
He added that personnel remain central to the SAF's operational readiness as its capabilities and operating concepts evolve.
"Our people will always remain at the heart of these efforts," he said.
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