SAF50 Celebrations Kick Off With SAF50@Vivo

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) and Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (left) interacting with pioneer, MAJ(Ret) Majid Sulaiman (centre), onboard RSS Endurance at the SAF50 Launch and Total Defence Commemoration Event.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen today launched SAF50@Vivo, the event which kicks off the year-long celebrations to mark 50 years of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Held over four days from 12 to 15 February in VivoCity, SAF50@Vivo is the first event in the SAF's calendar of SAF50 activities that showcase the SAF's capabilities as well as the stories of the men and women who have built up the SAF over the last 50 years.  

Also present were Minister of State Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, senior SAF officials and SAF pioneers.

During the event, which also commemorates Total Defence Day, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of Singaporeans working together to defend our nation. Dr Ng said, "The focus of SAF50 is not on specific individuals, but more importantly, what we have achieved together in this remarkable journey and accomplishments, when we as one people or one SAF, we put our hearts and minds into this indispensable task of defending our home." Delivering his speech on board the Landing Ship Tank RSS Endurance, Dr Ng added, "But today, no one doubts the ability of the SAF to be able to defend Singapore... The SAF has indeed given strength to our nation."

As part of today's launch at SAF50@Vivo, Dr Ng toured the SAF50 Exhibition, which showcases individuals who have played a part in Singapore's defence. Dr Ng also viewed displays of the SAF's hardware and capabilities, launched the Republic of Singapore Navy's Littoral Mission Vessel ship naming competition, and interacted with SAF pioneers, SAF50 Ambassadors, Service personnel and other visitors to SAF50@Vivo.

Anchored on the theme of "Our SAF: Giving Strength to Our Nation", SAF50@Vivo and various SAF50 activities throughout the year will be conducted to honour the people whose commitment and support have enabled the SAF to provide the defence and security that undergirds the strength, peace and prosperity of our nation. In commemoration of Total Defence Day on 15 February, an SAF Weapons Presentation Ceremony will be held in conjunction with SAF50@Vivo on board RSS Endurance. The annual N.E.mation! 9 Awards Ceremony will also be held on the same day. For more information on SAF50, visit www.SAF50years.sg.

Dr Ng delivering a speech at the SAF50 launch and Total Defence Commemoration Event

Dr Ng unveiling the SAF50 logo at the SAF50 launch and Total Defence Commemoration Event.

More Resources

• Fact Sheet: SAF50@Vivo

• Speech by Minister for Defence at The Launch of SAF50@Vivo

• Defence Minister launches SAF's 50th birthday celebrations