The 27th edition of Exercise Semangat Bersatu (XSB), an annual bilateral exercise between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), was conducted successfully in Singapore from 8 to 14 May 2023. Involving a total of 380 participants from the SAF’s 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment and MAF’s 6th Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment, the exercise included activities such as professional exchanges, cross-training, cultural interaction, and culminated in a combined Battalion Mission Exercise with conventional and urban objectives.
SAF Chief of Army (COA) Major-General (MG) David Neo and MAF COA, General (GEN) Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman co-officiated the opening ceremony of XSB23 in Kranji Camp III on 8 May 2023. In his opening address, MG Neo said, “As our flagship exercise, Exercise Semangat Bersatu is testament to the close friendship between our forces. For this year’s edition, we are incorporating drone flying operations. This builds on our years of sharing of tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as combined mission planning and execution. Beyond professional exchanges and training, XSB23 is also a chance for soldiers from both armies to make new friends and forge strong friendships.”
First held in 1989, XSB provides a valuable platform for both armies to strengthen professional interactions, and underscores the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia. The SAF and the MAF interact regularly across a range of activities, including bilateral exchanges, cross-attendance of courses and multilateral activities under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus.
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