SINGAPORE: Low visibility caused by dust clouds was identified as the likely cause of the collision between two Hunter armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) during Exercise Wallaby last month, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a written parliamentary response on Tuesday (15 October).

The incident, which occurred in Queensland, Australia, on 24 September 2024, resulted in mild injuries to 12 servicemen.

Dr Ng’s statement was in response to a parliamentary question from Mr Dennis Tan, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Hougang SMC.

Mr Tan asked for details on the accident, specifically its cause and whether any lessons could be applied to enhance training and operational safety within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

The collision took place during a night-time movement of Hunter AFVs at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

The vehicles were returning to base when one rear-ended another. Dr Ng explained that the dust clouds generated by the AFVs’ movement significantly impaired visibility, might likely contributing to the accident.

The 12 affected servicemen sustained mild injuries and were promptly taken to the nearest medical facility.

None of the injuries required hospitalisation, and all 12 servicemen were able to rejoin their units for training the next day.

According to the minister, adherence to safety protocols—such as wearing seat belts and protective gear—played a crucial role in limiting the injuries to mild ones.

Following the incident, a safety pause was immediately implemented, with all drivers being reminded to maintain proper safety distances, especially when visibility was compromised.

Troops were also reminded to adhere strictly to safety protocols, including the proper use of safety equipment, Dr Ng added.

The safety lessons from the incident were shared not only with the affected units but also with other participating groups in the exercise, as well as units back in Singapore, through dedicated safety briefings.

Mr Tan also asked about the broader implications of the incident. In his response, Dr Ng said that a formal investigation had been launched in accordance with SAF’s safety incident protocol.

The investigation aims to assess the circumstances more thoroughly and identify any further measures that could be taken to enhance safety.

Dr Ng shared that recommendations arising from the investigation will be implemented where necessary.

Exercise Wallaby is SAF’s largest unilateral overseas exercise, and the 2024 edition began on 8 September, running until 3 November.

The exercise involves approximately 6,200 personnel, including 500 operationally ready national servicemen.

The exercise has been conducted at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland since 1990, and it is a key part of SAF’s overseas training program.

The Hunter AFV, one of the vehicles involved in the collision, is a state-of-the-art platform jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Singapore Army, and ST Engineering.

It replaced the SAF’s aging fleet of Ultra M113 AFVs in 2019, which had been in service since the 1970s. The Hunter is equipped with advanced features, including a 30mm cannon, a 76mm smoke grenade launcher, and an automatic target detection and

tracking system designed to enhance operational effectiveness. It is also capable of traveling at increased speeds and covering longer distances, making it a versatile asset for the SAF.

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deployed two F-15SG fighter jets on 15 October 2024 in response to a bomb threat on board an Air India Express flight bound for Singapore.

The incident occurred on flight AXB684, which had taken off from Madurai, India, and was scheduled to land in Singapore at around 8:50pm.

Singapore’s Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, revealed in a Facebook post that the airline had received an email warning of a bomb on the aircraft. The RSAF scrambled the jets to escort the plane safely away from populated areas.

The aircraft finally touched down at Changi Airport at 10:04pm, over an hour later than scheduled.

Upon landing, the situation was immediately handed over to the Airport Police Division, and security measures were swiftly put in place. Ground-based air defence systems and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were also activated, according to Dr Ng.

“Many thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our SAF and Home Team that keep us safe in our homes, even when threats exist around us,” he said.

In a statement to the media, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed that they were alerted to the bomb threat at approximately 8:25pm.

They reiterated that the plane landed safely under RSAF escort. Following thorough security checks, no suspicious items were found aboard the aircraft.

“The police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm,” the SPF added.

Air India Express and Wider Disruptions

Flight AXB684 is operated by Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India and part of the Tata Group.

According to Flightradar24, the flight had departed from Madurai at 1:54pm and was expected to reach Singapore before the bomb threat disrupted its journey.

This incident was one of several involving bomb threats that affected flights departing from India on both 14 and 15 October. Indian media reported that another Air India Express flight, from Ayodhya to Bengaluru, also faced a hoax bomb threat on the same day.

Security measures were swiftly enacted, with the aircraft and passengers undergoing rescreening in line with standard protocols.

The wider wave of bomb threats targeting Indian flights also impacted low-cost airlines. IndiGo received threats related to two flights originating from Mumbai—one headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the other to Muscat, Oman. Both incidents took place on 14 October.

In addition, NDTV reported that bomb threats were made against SpiceJet flight SG116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai, and Akasa Air flight QP1373 from Bagdogra to Bengaluru.

Another notable incident involved an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago, which was forced to make an emergency landing at Iqaluit Airport in Canada due to an online security threat.

In response to the series of threats, Air India noted that it, along with other local airlines, had been the target of multiple hoaxes in recent days. The aviation industry and security forces across India have been on heightened alert due to these recurring incidents.

#ImportantUpdate pic.twitter.com/mvDm5mGLzg

— Air India (@airindia) October 15, 2024