Just as health experts advocate for more than 150 minutes of exercise per week to stay fit, militaries around the world engage in rigorous training to maintain operational excellence and forge stronger alliances. For Singapore, these military exercises are more than routine drills; they are strategic maneuvers that enhance defense capabilities and build diplomatic bridges.
In the first half of 2024, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) engaged in four bilateral military exercises with Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand. While much attention has been given to Singapore’s exercises with major powers like the United States in order to enhance its deterrence against larger neighbors, the strategic value of these regional drills extends beyond mere deterrence. These exercises play a crucial role in strengthening defense relationships and addressing shared security challenges such as terrorism and natural disasters. They also serve as a platform for the SAF to showcase its power projection capabilities, reinforcing its position as a proactive regional partner. Additionally, joint military exercises with other regional states grant the SAF access to larger and diverse training environments, providing realistic scenarios essential for effective preparation.
Fostering Closer Defense Relations by Addressing Non-Traditional Security Threats
Singapore’s defense policy is predicated upon two key pillars: diplomacy and deterrence. Both are mutually reinforcing because diplomacy is more effective when backed by credible deterrence, while deterrence can be achieved through diplomacy and negotiations. Moreover, one core tenet of Singapore’s foreign policy is to be a “friend to all and an enemy to none.” Although Singapore has cordial bilateral relations with its larger neighbors Malaysia and Indonesia, it still possesses longstanding territorial disputes with Malaysia over port limits delineation and Pedra Branca, and there are occasional tensions over water supply. On the other hand, Singapore is concerned about Indonesia due to its large size and sometimes strident nationalism.
To address these security concerns, Singapore has leveraged bilateral military exercises to build trust and cooperation with Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly in tackling common Non-Traditional Security (NTS) issues such as terrorism, piracy, and natural disasters. According to the Singapore Internal Security Department’s Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2024, Southeast Asia remains vulnerable to Islamic State terrorism, driven by self-radicalized individuals that threaten the region’s social stability. Additionally, the Malacca Strait, with its congested shipping lanes, is a hotspot for piracy, leading to significant financial losses in the shipping industry.
To address these NTS threats, Singapore has actively engaged in bilateral military exercises to strengthen collaboration with its neighbors. For instance, in May of this year, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force conducted the sixth edition of the Malsing Search and Rescue Exercise near the Tioman Islands to search for survivors and evacuate casualties for immediate medical evacuation. In 2023, the navies of Singapore and Malaysia conducted the 31st iteration of Exercise Malapura, first conducted in 1984, to practice counterpiracy drills in the Malacca Straits. In that same year, the Singaporean army hosted the Malaysian army in Singapore for the 27th iteration of Exercise Semangat Bersatu to hone both states’ urban operations and counterterrorism capabilities.
Likewise for Indonesia, earlier this month, Singapore and Indonesia conducted the 30th iteration of Exercise Chandrapura, during which commando units from both countries practiced live-fire urban operations. Moreover, in 2023, the Singaporean and Indonesian navies conducted a six-day bilateral naval exercise in Batam to practice ship-boarding and mine clearance at sea. Such bilateral exercises have intensified with the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Singapore and Indonesia in 2022.
Singapore has leveraged the cooperation and interoperability fostered by these exercises to concretely address NTS issues in the region, as evident from the trilateral patrols in the Sulu Sea to prevent arms smuggling during the Islamic State’s siege of the southern Philippine city of Marawi in 2017.
At the same time, Singapore has utilized these bilateral trainings to demonstrate its power projection capabilities during crises. By showcasing its operational competence and effectiveness, Singapore reinforces its deterrence posture and strengthens regional relationships. For example, following the 2015 Malaysian floods, the SAF was the first to deploy a water purification unit at Malaysia’s request. Similarly, in 2021, the Singapore Navy’s Search and Rescue vessel MV Swift was the first to respond to Indonesia’s request for assistance in locating its missing submarine, KRI Nanggala.
Geography, Geography, Geography
Besides fostering cooperation with its neighbors, Singapore also leverages bilateral military exercises to access larger and diverse maritime and land training facilities, which is essential given its small size. This month, for instance, the Royal Thai Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy conducted Exercise Singsiam in the Gulf of Thailand to practice conventional naval drills. This access to the Gulf of Thailand is particularly valuable as exercises in the South China Sea are challenging due to China’s sensitivities and potential diplomatic strains with Malaysia and Indonesia.
Similarly, in January of this year, the SAF conducted bilateral military exercises with the Royal Brunei Land Forces, focusing on urban operations and jungle warfare. These exercises not only reinforced Singapore’s longstanding defense relations with Thailand and Brunei but also ensured continued access to their military training facilities. Singapore’s regular unilateral exercises, such as Exercise Crescendo in Thailand, further provide its troops with exposure to unfamiliar jungle terrain, enhancing their operational effectiveness and adaptability.
Singapore conducts bilateral jungle training with the Thai and Bruneian armies to simulate realistic jungle combat conditions, which are essential for its “Forward Defense” strategy. This strategy addresses Singapore’s geographical limitations by enhancing its capability to operate effectively in diverse terrains. Given the predominantly jungle and plantation landscape of nearby regions, these training exercises are crucial for preparing Singapore’s forces for potential operations in such environments, thereby supporting the objectives of the “Forward Defense” strategy and ensuring the security of vital resources such as water.
Conclusion
Singapore’s bilateral military exercises with its neighbors exemplify a nuanced and strategic approach to regional security, combining operational readiness with diplomatic engagement. These exercises enhance Singapore’s defense capabilities and showcase its power projection while fostering deeper cooperation on NTS issues. The recent visit to Singapore by Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, chief of army of the Malaysian Armed Forces, from July 22 to 24 underscores the growing importance of these collaborations. This visit highlights the mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and addressing shared challenges. Through these efforts, Singapore not only fortifies its defense relations with its neighbors but also reaffirms its role as a proactive and collaborative security partner in the region.