Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing logistical support to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) for a joint air mobility training exercise taking place between April 27th and June 4th, 2024. The training, hosted at RAAF Base Richmond, will see Singaporean C-130H Hercules aircraft conducting airdrop and parachute operations over western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and regional New South Wales. This collaboration strengthens military ties between the two nations and allows for future interoperability in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
By Abhijeet A
The Australian Defence Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force have begun airdrop and parachute operations. From April 27 to June 4, 2024, both groups will train in air mobility out of RAAF Base Richmond, according to a Defence Department statement released on April 29.
A Singaporean C-130H Hercules transport plane and some 140 Singaporean military personnel are conducting airdrop and parachute operations over western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and regional New South Wales as part of the RSAF's annual training exercise.
Air traffic control services, airbase operations support, and other logistical and operational assistance will be provided by the Australian Defence Force for the exercise. There won't be any planes, parachutes, or ADF jumpers involved in this training.
Air Commodore Bradley Clarke who is the Commander of Air Mobility Group said, “this training detachment would allow Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army members to engage closely with RSAF personnel. Singaporean C-130 crews deploy to RAAF Base Richmond for this training each year. This collaboration allows us to integrate with Singapore more easily in future, and positively contributes to Singapore’s own security. Singapore has provided air mobility support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations throughout the region, including to Australia during floods and bushfires”.
Exercise participants express their sincere gratitude to the residents for their cooperation, as the training will entail flying during the day and night on weekdays, as well as low-level flying in airspace and airfields frequently utilised by RAAF aircraft. There are no flights scheduled for this weekend.
Joint Statement
The leaders of Australia and Singapore pledged earlier this year to maintain defence cooperation and perhaps host Australian nuclear-powered submarines in advance of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, which took place in Melbourne in early March.
During the 9th Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders' Meeting in March end 2024, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Singaporean counterpart, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, to discuss ongoing collaboration, including continued support for Singapore Armed Forces training in Australia and progress in the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative, which includes plans to expand Shoal water Bay in the east part of Queensland state.
That meeting resulted in a joint statement outlining Singapore's commitment to assisting Australian maritime vessels, which would now include Australia's conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
The Singaporean leaders acknowledged Australia's dedication to responsible nuclear stewardship and its establishment of the standard concerning its purchase of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the auspices of AUKUS.
The Australian leaders accepted Singapore's invitation to host Australia's conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for port visits. Additionally, both the leaders affirmed their support for the Five Power Defence Arrangements and "acknowledged" Singapore's ongoing assistance to Australian ships and aircraft operating in the area.
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