The annual bilateral exercise strengthened interoperability, urban warfare capabilities, and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and the United States.
Exercise Lightning Strike (XLS) 2025, the annual bilateral training between the Singapore Army and the United States (US) Army, was conducted in Singapore from 4 to 12 November 2025. The exercise brought together around 500 soldiers from Singapore’s 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (3 SIB), 2nd Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), and the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment (1-23 IN BN).
The training programme focused on planning and executing combined arms urban operations, culminating in a joint battalion-level assault on an urban objective in SAFTI City. Troops from both armies employed Close Quarter Battle tactics, specialised urban operations equipment, and drone systems to enhance situational awareness in dense and complex environments. SAFTI City’s advanced instrumentation provided real-time feedback to sharpen tactical proficiency and decision-making.
Image by: Singapore Ministry of Defence
At the closing ceremony, Commander 3 SIB, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Abu Bakar Bin Abdillah Alkatib, noted that the training environment had replicated the pressures of a realistic battlefield and underscored the benefits of data-driven tools for after-action learning. He highlighted that the success of the exercise reflected not only operational skills but also the strong camaraderie demonstrated by both forces.
First inaugurated in 1996, Exercise Lightning Strike has become a hallmark of the robust defence partnership between Singapore and the United States. Conducted alternately in both countries, the exercise provides a valuable platform for professional exchanges on tactics, techniques, and procedures, contributing to improved interoperability and mutual understanding.
Beyond XLS, the Singapore and US Armies maintain extensive interactions through bilateral training, cross-attendance of military courses, and regular professional exchanges. These engagements have continued to reinforce the excellent and longstanding defence relations between both nations.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
