Singapore Armed Forces Enhancing Training Capacity

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are expanding their training capability with significant amounts invested in upgrading its training infrastructure. Speaking at “The Committee of Supply 2025” earlier this month, Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, provided some insights into the developments related to SAF training.

The Singapore Army's next-generation smart training facility, SAFTI City Phase 1 has been open for training since October last year, with army units now receiving realistic training in urban environments — from interconnected high-rise buildings, to underground networks, as well as a bus interchange and MRT station.

“The initial feedback has been very positive. Our SAF soldiers can feel the difference immediately,” Dr Ng said and quoted 3SG Robin Teoh from 5SIR, who said, “training in SAFTI City as a motorised infantry unit has been a game changer. The urban environment feels real – like stepping into an actual city. Moving and driving through tight alleyways, clearing high-rise buildings, and adapting to different scenarios pushes us to think fast and stay sharp.”

Dr Ng stated that Singapore would build more such training facilities to enhance realism for effective training with Pulau Tekong to be expanded to stretch 10km [6 mi] in distance. “It will serve as the Army’s second maneuver training area for soldiers, as well as combat vehicles, which is important as the Army becomes increasingly platform-based,” he said. Built on reclaimed land, the new development will facilitate amphibious, heliborne and urban combat training, along with an enhanced field camp site for Basic Military Training.

Singapore will also leverage large training spaces with its overseas partners. The Shoalwater Bay Training Area has already been expanded with many new and better facilities. “As a result of that expansion over the years, we were able to conduct the largest edition of Exercise Wallaby ever. Last year, there were over 6,200 personnel and 490 platforms,” Dr Ng said.

With the development of the adjacent Greenvale Training Area, the SAF will have a combined training area 10 times the size of Singapore. The SAF will be deploy up to 14,000 personnel and 2,400 vehicles annually to this combined training area and will be able to exercise its full range of capabilities – land, sea, air, and digital.

Dr Ng also stated that Singapore would take up the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo to train in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan, as well as undertake joint air training. The Singapore and Indonesian air forces will conduct an inaugural bilateral air patrol under the Singapore-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, or PATKOR INDOPURA, later this year.