2008/05 - Exercise Lightning Warrior

Exercise/Operation

Exercise Lightning Warrior

Helicopters

AH-64D Apache Longbow

Year

2008

The RSAF supported Sichuan earthquake relief by deploying C-130s to transport supplies and a disaster assistance team to China.

Exercise Lightning Warrior was held at the Lohatla Combat Training Centre in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. More than 500 personnel from the Air Force and Army took part in the exercise, which showed that the SAF could employ a range of sensors and shooters to hunt and take out both static and mobile targets. Responsive air power was key to operational effectiveness, as the RSAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and AH-64D Apache helicopters complemented the Army's land-based sensors and shooters to enable the Division Strike Centre to pre-empt, target, and kill enemy rocket artillery batteries and air defence units.

Infographic showing military strategy with Apache helicopters, artillery, and commandos in a desert landscape.

Exercise Lightning Warrior used new technology and concepts to allow the SAF to hunt down and destroy enemies in minutes.

Army Apache helicopter firing a missile in flight over a desert landscape.

The SAF’s air-land integrated strike capability was strengthened with the use of Apache helicopters.

White UAV with long wings, landing gear down, flying over trees against a cloudy sky.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were used in the exercise for detecting and tracking targets.