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Personnel from the Army’s 161 Reconnaissance Squadron, which operates the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), visited Singapore’s AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship squadron to learn more about the platform Australia will be acquiring in the future. 

The visit to 120 Squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) took place on 10 and 11 November, as part of the ongoing Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE22) regional engagement activity. 

According to the RSAF, the two-day ground programme at Singapore’s Sembawang Air Base included professional discussions, ground briefings, and organised static displays that allowed for in-depth exchanges that, “provided opportunities to learn best practices, and strengthens interpersonal relationships between the RSAF and the ADF.” 

Defence told ADM that the visit involved 20 ADF personnel including members from ARH Tiger aircrew and maintenance teams who participated in the shared learning and development session.

“Among many topics discussed, ADF personnel discussed how the Human Machine Interface on the AH-64 compared to ARH Tiger and what tactics were employed to best use the Apache Radar System,” a Defence spokesperson said. “Our maintenance personnel were keen to learn how maintenance was managed and what tasks were required to keep the AH-64’s ready for flying.” 

The two-day event also saw ADF and RSAF teams share information about their respective aircraft capabilities, personnel training regimes (both tradesmen and aircrew) and how maintenance systems were managed, and the challenges of conducting maritime operations was a significant topic of discussion.

Australia has selected the AH-64E Apache Guardian to replace the Tiger ARH under Project Land 4503. 29 helicopters will be acquired with a planned initial operational capability of 12 helicopters in 2026 and full operational capability in 2028.

The RSAF has operated 20 AH-64D Apaches, split between 120 Sqn and a training detachment based at Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana, Arizona, since 2002. 

Singapore has also sent its Apaches to Australia to take part in the annual Wallaby series of unilateral training exercises at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. The exercises, which see the helicopters operating from Rockhampton Airport, would have given the RSAF some perspective of operating the type in Australian conditions.

IPE22 includes HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Anzac with 1,100 personnel from all three ADF services and representatives from across the Australian government, including the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It also involves participation by Australian defence industry.    

The exercise sees participants conducting interactions with 14 countries across Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean region and is taking place between 26 September to 26 November 2022. The ships and personnel will return to Australia by mid-December.

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