24-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) A training accident during Exercise Wallaby, Singapore’s largest overseas military exercise, has resulted in injuries to twelve national servicemen. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Queensland, Australia, when two armoured vehicles collided, raising concerns about safety protocols during such large-scale operations.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the accident took place at approximately 7:40 pm Australian time (5:40 pm Singapore time) in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. One Hunter armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) rear-ended another as they were returning to base, resulting in minor injuries to a dozen Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen.
MINDEF assured the public that all injured personnel have been promptly transported to hospital for treatment. “The safety and well-being of our personnel is of utmost importance,” the statement emphasised. “The injured servicemen are currently receiving medical attention or recuperating satisfactorily.”
In response to the incident, the army has implemented a safety pause to reinforce the importance of maintaining proper distance between vehicles during manoeuvres. This measure underscores the SAF’s commitment to preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Contrary to initial reports by Australian news outlet 9News suggesting the involvement of an Australian tank, MINDEF’s statement clarified that both vehicles were Hunter AFVs belonging to the Singaporean contingent.
The Daily Mail Australia reported that the injured servicemen were swiftly evacuated by military helicopter to Rockhampton Airport before being transferred to hospital via ambulance, highlighting the rapid response capabilities in place during such exercises.
Exercise Wallaby, an annual event since its inception in 1990, is currently in progress at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. This year’s edition, which commenced on 8 September and is scheduled to conclude on 3 November, involves approximately 6,200 personnel, including 500 operationally ready national servicemen.
The Hunter AFV, the vehicle type involved in the collision, represents the cutting edge of Singapore’s military technology. Jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Singapore Army, and ST Engineering, it was introduced in 2019 to replace the ageing Ultra M113 AFVs that had been in service since the 1970s.
Boasting advanced features such as a 30mm cannon, a 76mm smoke grenade launcher, and an automatic target detection and tracking system, the Hunter AFV significantly enhances the SAF’s combat capabilities. Its improved speed and operating range also allow for extended operational reach during military exercises and potential combat situations.
