EX FORGING SABRE RAMPS UP USE OF UNMANNED ASSETS IN INTEGRATED STRIKE OPERATIONS

Over the last 20 years, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has trialled and tested new processes, systems and technologies at Exercise Forging Sabre (XFS) – one of its most complex overseas drills.

This year marks the 10th iteration of the biennial exercise, which is being held from 6 to 21 Sep at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho in the United States (US).

The vast training area and airspace there – more than 20 times the size of Singapore! – has given service personnel the valuable chance to see their efforts culminate in an integrated live-firing exercise: a measure of the SAF’s sense-and-strike capabilities on the battlefield.

More than 800 personnel from across the Services and Defence Technology Community, along with 30 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) assets and additional mini/micro drones, are taking part in this year’s exercise.

Adapting to modern battlefield challenges

With new tactics and technologies used in conflicts around the world, the SAF has taken lessons from these modern battlefields, and XFS remains an effective place to stress test these concepts of operation, said Exercise Director Brigadier-General (BG) Teo Soo Yeow.

He highlighted two new aspects of XFS 2025: increased integration of commercially available drones, and the induction of the RSAF Agile innovation Digital (RAiD) team for rapid software development during operations.

Expanded use of commercial drones

This year’s exercise saw the expanded use of commercial off-the-shelf unmanned platforms that will operate alongside manned platforms in integrated strike missions.

Three types of micro/mini drones – 10 Ascent Spirit, four Skydio X10 and four Neros Archer – are making their debut in the exercise. The total number of drones has also more than doubled that of the 2023 edition of XFS, from 11 to 24 this year.

“Harnessing the strengths and capabilities of these assets (by picking the most appropriate one for the situation) allows us to reach mission success and be more resilient to challenges,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Tay Cheng Chuan, Commanding Officer of DROID (Drone Rapid Operationalisation, Integration and Deployment).

The Ascent Spirit, for example, has an additional reconnaissance module developed by the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), so it can fly in an autonomous swarm to detect targets of interest.

The Skydio X10 can navigate without GPS signals and avoid obstacles semi-autonomously, while the Nero Archer is the fastest among the three.

Large-scale, realistic training

For pilots like Captain (CPT) Javier Tan Jun Juan, training in XFS allows him to see the integration of platforms, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) like the Heron 1, in more complex scenarios thanks to the large airspace available at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

He finds this partnership especially useful in maximising the effectiveness of the RSAF's strike assets.

Once the new kid on the block bringing unmanned capabilities to the SAF, the Heron 1 UAV now has established effective processes which personnel can take reference from when incorporating new drones during training.

Heron 1 pilot CPT Cheong Rong Hao explained how the UAV integrates into the multi-tier Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) concept: “Mini/micro drones can prosecute targets at a lower altitude, but the Heron 1 has a longer-range endurance compared to these smaller drones.

“Altogether, these different levels of UAS are different tools in the RSAF’s sense-and-strike toolkit.” 

Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) CPT Hannah Teo also noted that increased integration between the mini/micro drones and the F-15SG has helped to improve their sense and strike capabilities.

“Having multiple sense assets translates to more timely and accurate information we can rely on to ensure our attacks are accurate and precise.”

Integration, adaptability are our winning edge: Mr Chan

As the last stop of his introductory trip to the US from 9 to 13 Sep, Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing visited personnel at XFS 2025.

He was briefed on the latest enhancements to the SAF’s integrated sense-and-strike missions, and visited the community of families from the RSAF’s Peace Carvin V detachment stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

Speaking to media in an interview, Mr Chan underscored the value of overseas training and the importance of testing out “different slices of our capabilities” across the four Services and with the Defence Technology Community.

“As we’ve learned from recent conflicts (around the world), it is not just about hitting a target. It is about integrating different capabilities together to achieve not just the tactical result, but also operational and strategic effects.”

Touching upon the SAF’s recent decision to purchase four Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to replace the current Fokker-50s, he noted that there would be subsequent announcements on the acquisition of other capabilities.

This is to complement the P-8As and enhance the SAF’s situational awareness in the maritime domain.

He added that the RSAF’s first F-35 fighter aircraft are on track for delivery in end-2026, and that the SAF will be establishing a new squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

“At this new place, it will not just be the RSAF training…(but) also other partner countries that will be operating the same and similar platforms.

“That will allow us to share lessons and also learn from one another… In time to come, we will consider putting other platforms (there) that are necessary to integrate our operational capability.”