Tanks collide in military training exercise between Australian and Singapore defence personnel near Rockhampton

A dozen defence personnel from the Singapore army were injured after two tanks collided during a military training exercise.

The collision unfolded near the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton in central Queensland, around 7.40pm on Tuesday.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia paramedics were called to the scene around 8.30pm. 

The spokeswoman said ten patients were airlifted by a military helicopter to Rockhampton Airport, where they were then transported to hospital by road ambulance.

The patients are understood to have all suffered minor injuries and are currently in stable conditions, the Courier Mail reported. 

The collision happened when a Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle operated by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) rear ended another while the tanks were moving back to the military base. 

A dozen personnel were injured in the collision and ten patients were rushed to Rockhampton Hospital (pictured a Queensland Ambulance vehicle)

Queensland Police confirmed it’s aware of the incident.

A spokeswoman from the Ministry of Defence of Singapore confirmed that 12 SAF serviceman sustained minor injuries. 

‘They are currently being treated [and] recovering well,’ the spokeswoman said. 

‘The safety and well-being of our people is of paramount importance. The Army has called for a safety pause to remind drivers to maintain proper distance’. 

Daily Mail Australia understands no personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were involved in the incident and the ADF assisted SAF personnel. 

The Shoalwater Water Bay Training Area is used every year by the Singapore Armed Forces to conduct unilateral training for up to nine weeks. 

The South-East Asian nation signed a treaty to conduct the military drills as part of the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI). 

The agreement between the two countries was announced in 2015.