Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Timeline
Posted on November 4th, 2016
SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES (SAF) TIMELINE
SAF have been training at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) for the past 26 years (since 1990) – currently approx. 6,000 troops per annum.
The existing annual SAF ‘Exercise Wallaby’ Training will be maintained until 2019.
2016 – Australian and Singapore Governments sign a 10 year Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) MOU sits under the FTA.
$2.25 Billion committed from SAF – approx $1B SWBTA and $1B Townsville.
Defence training agreement between Australia and Singapore is for 25 years.
March/April 2017 – Master Plan for both training areas prepared with both Australian and Singapore Military input (environmental considerations, native title, land acquisition etc)
SWBTA will be upgraded to support the range of new land combat and amphibious warfare capabilities over the next decade to 2025-26
June/July 2017 – Business case finalised and presented to both Singapore and Australian Governments for endorsement
2019 – 2021 upfront capital investment on land already owned by the ADF – spend spread evenly between SWBTA and Townsville
SAF will increase troops to Australia in 5 years time
2021 – SAF increase in training numbers to 2 x 9 week blocks (which will each have three exercises within them – 3×3 weeks) depending upon the number of troops -approx. 14,000 troops will train between SWBTA and Townsville
(Note: Dates will be determined 12 months prior to the a training year)
Two training periods annually – Feb to May, Sep to Nov.
These training periods will not conflict with the bi-annual Exercise Talisman Sabre between the ADF and the US Military, nor can they conflict with ADF exercises. Therefore, in any given year, weighting of training may alternate between SWBTA and Townsville, depending of ADF exercises.
This MAJOR investment by SAF is to create World Class Training Facilities (“State of the Art”) which will provide Urban Operations Live Fire Training Facilities.
Disclaimer: this timeline has been authored by Capricorn Enterprise following attendance at a number of briefings over the past fortnight, on behalf of our Members and Stakeholders – ASFTA – SWBTA. Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – implementation of defence initiative – Aust. Dept. of Defence Briefings.
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE (ADF)
The very clear intent from Minister for Defence the Hon. Marise Payne MP is that local industry and contractors receive the best opportunity to secure work from the ADF for the upgrade of SWBTA.
However, businesses are required to meet Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
The Federal Government has three major initiatives within its Innovation and Competiveness Agenda to assist SME’s become procurement ready:
1. Industry Growth Centres – targeting our nation’s competitive strengths
2. Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program – driving growth, capability and competitiveness of Australian SME’s (SME’s can access Business Evaluation $20K grant, Supplier Improvement Plan $20K grant, Business Growth Services $20K grant)
3. Industry Skills Fund – providing up to 200,000 training places
For more information contact Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; – Ross Contarino, Entrepreneurs’ Programme ross.contarino@aigroup.com.au
OR Mario Martini – Mario.martini@aigroup.com.au
If SME’s require specific assistance regarding pre-qualification for Defence supply chain opportunities, email Singapore.training@defence.gov.au
Mary Carroll
CEO Capricorn Enterprise
