Camp Tilpal offers enhanced facilities for Singapore soldiers and other armed forces
SINGAPORE – A new camp, Camp Tilpal, has been officially launched to support Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers during Exercise Wallaby and other training exercises in Australia. Located in Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, the camp features significant improvements over the existing Camp Growl, particularly in accommodation, operational, and medical facilities. The camp, which was completed in early 2024, can house up to 2,000 soldiers and will also be used by Australian troops and other armed forces.
Developed jointly by Singapore and Australia, Camp Tilpal was designed with the local terrain and weather conditions in mind, ensuring that the structures are well-suited to the environment. This includes considerations such as wind direction and sun exposure to help maintain a cool environment for soldiers.
One of the key upgrades at Camp Tilpal is its enhanced exercise command room, which improves coordination between units during complex operations. Major Mullainathan, the camp’s head for training control, highlighted the improved infrastructure, including better communications and tracking systems, which help commanders maintain situational awareness, particularly when live ammunition is used during training exercises.
The camp also boasts a new medical centre with advanced capabilities, including air-conditioning and ventilation systems designed to address heat-related injuries and other common ailments in the arid Shoalwater Bay region. Unlike Camp Growl, which lacked a dedicated medical facility, Camp Tilpal’s centre provides better care and improves the overall experience for patients.
Additionally, the camp includes a modern indoor kitchen and dining hall, capable of serving 2,000 meals in two sittings. This is a major improvement over the previous camp’s open-air kitchen setup. The facility is operated by Sats, which can prepare up to 2,000 servings per meal, four times daily, ensuring food safety and quality during the training exercises.
For junior sous chef Beebee Jan Abdul Kadir, the upgraded kitchen is an opportunity to bring a taste of home to the soldiers, with dishes like “Wallaby nasi lemak” becoming a favorite among the troops.
