In response to media queries on the SAF Land Rover Defender vehicles, the following reply was issued:

"In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Land Rover Defender vehicles were retrofitted to function mainly as utility vehicles and ambulances. The utility variant vehicles were retrofitted with SAF signal sets to provide a platform for our commanders to command and control on the move. In the past, a small group of Land Rover Defenders were used for ceremonial purposes, including the towing of the 25-pounder ceremonial guns.

The SAF operated hundreds of the Land Rover Defender vehicles. Most of these vehicles have since been phased out and replaced by newer platforms such as the Mercedes Benz G-Wagons, which have been used for towing the 25-pounder ceremonial guns. The remaining Land Rover Defender vehicles are still functioning effectively as utility vehicles.

The SAF's Headquarters Transport constantly reviews and surveys potential utility vehicle platforms to ensure that we continue to maintain a high level of operational readiness. The Ford Everest Operations Utility Vehicles (OUVs) have been employed as our primary utility vehicle platform since 2007. Our current fleet of OUVs and remaining in-service Land Rover Defender utility vehicles are sufficient to meet our operational requirements. These remaining Land Rover Defender vehicles will eventually be phased out when they are no longer cost-effective to maintain, and once suitable replacement systems are procured and ready."

Colonel Tay Yong Meng
Chief Transport Officer