SAF MAXIMISES ARMOUR TRAINING IN GERMANY

For the last month, Haide Camp, Germany, has been home to more than 500 servicemen and women from 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) and Armour Training Institute.

This year marks the first time that Exercise Panzer Strike is being conducted in the Oberlausitz Military Training Area (OMTA).

With training space approximately a quarter the size of Singapore, troops get to practise firing at much longer distances compared to ranges in Singapore. The OMTA also allows for more efficient training, as the Armour Formation can concurrently conduct live-firing at up to four ranges for armoured units.

For 48 SAR, the annual Exercise Panzer Strike is a huge milestone in validating their skills and ensuring operational readiness, said the battalion's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Cai Dexian. "The advantage of being able to train in Germany, and in particular the OMTA, is (that we can train in) very realistic scenarios."

He explained: "Unlike in Singapore, some of the terrain at the OMTA is very 'open', and our tank crews must navigate their way without the aid of an established trail. Also, we are only able to engage targets of up to 800m away back home, whereas over here we can engage targets up to five times the distance."

The large training area in the OMTA also offers another benefit: tank gunners can fire at moving targets while they are on the move. This would not be possible in Singapore because of space limitations, said Captain (CPT) Vivien Lee, Officer Commanding of 3rd Company, 48 SAR. "Exercise Panzer Strike offers a challenging platform that brings out the excellence in our crews."

Corporal (CPL) Brandon Ong, a tank gunner for the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), added: "It's a great training opportunity -- the larger training space in Germany lets us practise and validate our skills, which makes us more confident in our various roles."

This year's Panzer Strike, the eighth in the series since it started in 2009, is held over two training windows - 2 Mar to 20 Apr, and 14 Sep to 26 Oct.

Soldiers from 3rd Company, 48 SAR recently took part in a live-firing exercise with their German Army counterparts from Panzerlehrbataillon 93. The SAF's bilateral training component with the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) has been held annually since 2012.

Said CPT Vivien: "Professionally, it gives us an important opportunity for both Armies to exchange military knowledge. Personally, it is also a valuable chance to forge friendships with our German counterparts. I really enjoyed training with the Panzerlehrbataillon 93."

Recounting his experience training with 48 SAR, Oberleutnant (Lieutenant) Matthias Marschinke from Panzerlehrbataillon 93 said: "I have been very impressed by the standards set by the SAF's servicemen. I greatly appreciate the learning opportunities from training with 48 SAR. The skills and confidence displayed by the SAF tank gunners belie their young age."