New Zealand, Singapore conduct exercise

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A bilateral artillery exercise aimed at strengthening cooperation on regional security is taking place between Singapore and New Zealand.

Approximately 1,000 personnel are taking part in a more than monthlong exercise involving the New Zealand Defense Force and the Singapore armed forces in New Zealand. The annual exercise, which lasts until Feb. 13, is designed to strengthen security ties between the two countries on regional security and "increase mutual understanding among the personnel of both armed forces," the Singapore government reported.

The artillery exercise, called Exercise Thunder Warrior, involves advancing interoperability between Royal New Zealand Artillery and several Singapore battalions, regiments and the Singapore artillery.

The armed forces of both countries are participating in bilateral live-firing operations, among other training initiatives involving "weapon-locating radar and mini-unmanned aerial vehicles," the release said.