Fact Sheet: SAF50@Vivo

SAF50@Vivo marks the start of the year-long celebrations for the 50th year of the formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The three Services of the SAF (Army, Navy and Air Force) will come together to display their military assets and capabilities at VivoCity from 12 to 15 February 2015. SAF50@Vivo will be divided into four zones where visitors can learn more about the SAF through various interactive activities. The zones are:

·         The SAF50 Stories Zone (SAF50 Exhibition), where visitors can read stories that illustrate the character, soul, mettle and values of the men and women who commit themselves to the defence of Singapore. The stories in this immersive exhibition are specially curated to honour those who have contributed towards the defence of our nation and its sovereignty over the last 50 years.

·         The Capabilities Zone, where visitors can get up close with military assets and hardware like the Heron-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Light Strike Vehicle and the SPYDER air defence system. Visitors can climb onboard a scaled replica of the latest Archer-class submarine's conning tower and take a look at a life-sized model of the heavy-weight torpedo fired by the submarines.

·         The Experience Zone, where visitors can try their hands at playing exciting flight simulator games or shooting down a target with a ship's 0.5" machine gun.

·         The Engagement Zone, where visitors can meet servicemen and women in uniform, participate in meet-and-greet sessions with the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) aerobatics team Black Knights, and stand an opportunity to walk away with special commemorative gifts and prizes. Children can also dress up in uniforms at the Tri-Service photo booth and bring home a photo souvenir.

From 16 January 2015, members of the public have also been given the opportunity to bid for exclusive opportunities to board the Landing Ship Tank (LST) - the largest vessel in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) - on the RSN Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singaporenavy). A daily highlight onboard the LST (RSS Endurance) is the Ceremonial Sunset, one of the oldest naval traditions in the world which features the ceremonial lowering of the naval ensign, as Navy personnel march out to the sound of the bugle call. The RSN will be running a "Name our Ships" contest for the new Littoral Mission Vessels. Open to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, the contest will be launched on 12 February 2015 and will run till 15 March 2015.

To commemorate Total Defence Day on 15 February 2015, the SAF Weapons Presentation Ceremony and the N.E.mation! 9 Awards Ceremony will also both be held on the same day as part of the SAF50@Vivo celebrations. The SAF Weapons Presentation will be held on board the RSN's LST.

SAF50 Exhibition

The SAF50 Exhibition is an interactive experience anchored by a collection of SAF stories that highlights shared values that transcend time, offers insight into the inner strength that drives our men and women in giving their best, and pays tribute to those who form the bedrock of our country's prosperity and security. 

The exhibition features four clusters which are presented in varied formats - from exhibition boards, to videos, and interactive panels.

·         Strength of a Soldier

This cluster brings visitors through the common experiences of our servicemen and servicewomen. It is through their stories that we understand how the SAF brings out the best of its people and how, as a cohesive force, it gives strength to our nation.

Stories featured within this cluster touch on collective memories, shared history and common experiences that bond all servicemen - from one's very first haircut before commencing Basic Military Training, to the water parades they experienced as recruits.  

·         Strength of our Pioneers

This cluster pays tribute to the men and women who played a key role in building up the SAF - our pioneers whose can-do spirit, courage and resilience have shaped and defined who we are today.

Stories featured within this cluster showcase the challenges that pioneering SAF personnel faced and overcame - whether it was training 1,000 Guards of Honour for Singapore's first National Day Parade in 50 days, or instructing the first batch of SAF Officers and developing training infrastructure from scratch.

·         Strength from the Community

The family, community and business sectors are important pillars of strength and support for the SAF.

Stories within this cluster feature the heartwarming personal reflections and well-wishes from the community, such as mothers and wives - demonstrating the crucial role they play in supporting our servicemen's journeys through the SAF.

·         Strength in Action

The strength of the SAF can be seen in the wide range of roles that the SAF plays - from safeguarding our homeland and participating in humanitarian missions, to planning and developing capabilities that give the SAF its sharp edge.

Stories within this cluster highlight the critical role that the SAF plays in peacetime and its peacetime operations, providing us with the safety and security of a peaceful nation. 

SAF50 Assets

The combined assets and capabilities of the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy and Republic of Singapore Air Force will be displayed at SAF50@Vivo. Some of the assets are:

·         Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The Heron 1 UAV features state-of-the-art avionics, detection capabilities and communication systems, as well as a fully automatic take-off and landing capability. Its flight endurance and surveillance capabilities provide the SAF with better situational awareness in the field and enhance mission effectiveness.

·         Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby - Air Defence System (SPYDER)

The Surface-to-Air Python-5 and DERby - Short-Range (SPYDER) ground base air defence system was operationalised in 2011 and forms part of the 3rd Generation RSAF Networked Air Defence capability that builds upon the existing multi-layered air defence system to further strengthen Singapore's air defence. An all-weather air defence system, the SPYDER enhances the RSAF's capability to effectively deal with a wide spectrum of aerial threats.

·         AS-332 Super Puma Helicopter

The Super Puma is a medium lift helicopter, fitted with high energy absorbing retractable tri-cycle type landing gear and anti-crash features to provide maximum survivability during emergency landings. The AS-332M/M1 Super Puma was first put into RSAF service in 1985 and has been employed for roles such as: troop lift, search and rescue, underslung cargo transport and VIP transport.

·        RBS-70

The RBS-70 is a man-portable, short range surface-to-air weapon system. The laser-guided missile is highly resistant against jamming. The weapon system can be deployed in a short time and is equipped with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability. The RBS-70 system is effective against low-level threats. It is mounted on the V200A Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) for greater mobility.

·        Landing Ship Tank (RSS Endurance)

The Landing Ships Tank (LSTs) are the largest vessels in the RSN and were designed and built locally. Equipped with a well-dock and a flight deck, they provide sealift capability to the RSN. The LSTs have contributed to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Aceh, peace support operations and counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

More Resources

• SAF50 Celebrations Kick Off With SAF50@Vivo