Australia and Singapore have opened new training facilities at Shoalwater Bay in time for Exercise Trident.
“The expansion of the training area will enable the ADF and SAF to concurrently conduct our own unilateral training, and also support enhanced bilateral training and complexity," said the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Greg Moriarty.
The new facilities include two live fire ranges for urban combat training, several combined air and land ranges, camp-style accommodation for up to 2,000 troops and new administration and support infrastructure. They will allow for up to 6,000 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel to train for a nine-week period annually. In the past, SAF exercises at Shoalwater Bay have been limited to 45-day periods.
“This is the latest milestone in our nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and we welcome the opportunity to continue to learn from each other in a joint exercise environment."
This year's iteration of Exercise Trident includes two ships and nearly 2,000 personnel across the SAF and Australian Defence Force.