SAF trials drone technology and integration at Exercise Wallaby

These tests allow SAF to validate such tech under realistic battlefield conditions

- Ng Wei Kai Correspondent

SAF soldiers from the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Company preparing a VIS drone for flight during Exercise Wallaby - Singapore's largest overseas unilateral military drill - at the Shoalwater Bay training area in Australia on Oct 26. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG

(KUA CHEE SIONG)

Unmanned aircraft of various shapes and sizes are being put through their paces in the expansive skies over Shoalwater Bay in Queensland, Australia, as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) trials its next generation of drone and counter-drone technology.

At Exercise Wallaby — Singapore’s largest overseas unilateral military drill — the SAF will execute 17 field trials, including the use of a coordinated swarm of more than 50 drones for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Drones will also be used in armoured operations, with crews for the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle launching micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to scout ahead of their convoys.

Other trials include the deployment of autonomous vehicles to jam an enemy’s drones, and the use of drones fitted with 5G base stations to extend the SAF’s command network.