(AseanAll)  — The Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army (RTA) successfully conducted the 23rd edition of Exercise Kocha Singa in Singapore from 29 November to 8 December 2023，according to Singapore's Ministry of Defence.

Commander 3rd Singapore Division Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian and RTA 1st Army Area Commander Lieutenant General Chitsanupong Rodsiri co-officiated the closing ceremony at the Murai Urban Training Facility (MUTF) on December 8.

Held annually, this year's Ex Kocha Singa involved approximately 750 personnel from the Singapore Army's Headquarters 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade and 42nd Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, as well as the 3rd Infantry Battalion from the RTA's 9th Infantry Brigade. The exercise featured professional exchanges between the two armies, including the cross-learning of weapons and equipment, and live-firing at the Multi-Mission Range Complex. The exercise culminated in a combined battalion-level field training exercise at the MUTF.

In his closing speech, BG Cai said, "At the culmination of Exercise Kocha Singa 2023, it is so heartening to see our fellow soldiers from the RTA and the Singapore Army – once strangers – now standing shoulder-to-shoulder as one, having accomplished something greater together. You have very much to be proud of."

First conducted in 1997, Exercise Kocha Singa underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties between Singapore and Thailand. Apart from bilateral exercises, both armies also interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges and the cross-attendance of courses.