SAF Honours its Best Units

Servicemen from the Singapore Army's 1st Commando Battalion - a unit which specialises in airborne operations, reconnaissance, and raid missions

A Singapore Army 1st Commando Battalion sniper (left) and spotter (right) concealing themselves behind vegetation for their mission, working in pairs to ensure precision in each shot.

Crew from the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) RSS Indomitable.

Ground crew from the RSAF marshalling an F-15SG as it taxies out during an air defence training mission.

The Singapore Army's 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn), the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s RSS Indomitable and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s 142 Squadron (SQN) have clinched the Best Combat Unit, Best Maritime Security Unit and Best Fighter Squadron awards respectively in this year's Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Best Unit Competition. In total, 18 active units and 12 National Service (NS) units are recognised for their outstanding achievements in their respective formations. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing will present the awards to the winners at the SAF Day Parade on 1 July 2025 at the SAFTI Military Institute.

1 Cdo Bn achieved the Best Combat Unit in the SAF Best Unit Competition for the 22nd consecutive year, winning the award a record 39 times since the introduction of the competition in 1969. Trained to operate in complex environments, the SAF Commandos are renowned for their high proficiency in specialised competencies such as airborne operations, reconnaissance, and raid missions. Commanding Officer of 1 Cdo Bn, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Kok Yi Long said, “Winning the 22nd consecutive Best Combat Unit award did not happen by chance – it happened because every Commando believed in the mission, pushed beyond limits in a calculated manner, and refused to settle for less. It is about a culture built over time, sustained by teamwork, discipline, and an unyielding commitment to excellence. We do not strive for awards – we strive to be better and stronger, and to be always ready to defend this nation. The standard is high, and that is exactly where we intend to keep it.”

The year's Best Maritime Security Unit goes to the Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), RSS Indomitable. This is the ship's second time winning the award. RSS Indomitable displayed high operational readiness and availability, including being deployed for Exercise Singsiam while also fulfilling 100% of her high readiness core duties in the past year. Despite the busy operational schedule, RSS Indomitable continued to maintain her innovative spirit. Four of these safety initiatives were adopted by the Flotilla, thereby enhancing safety and operational effectiveness. The ship was awarded the RSN Unit Safety Award for Work Year 2024/25 and her Maritime Engineer Military Expert 4 Imran Ismail was also awarded the RSN Outstanding Safety Individual Award. These achievements reflect the unit’s strong safety culture. Together with her sister ships, the LMVs conduct 24/7 patrols in the Singapore Strait to ensure maritime security and defend our maritime interests. The Commanding Officer of RSS Indomitable, LTC Lin Dianxue, attributed the achievement to the ship crew's dedication and professionalism. He said, "We take a lot of pride in upholding the Indomitable Family Spirit – being welcoming, nurturing everyone to their fullest potential, and emphasising collective team outcomes. The extra hours that we put into training to deal with dynamic situations, as well as the little gestures of genuine care and camaraderie, makes it possible to keep the ship and people going even during difficult days.”

The RSAF's 142 SQN has won the Best Fighter Squadron for 2025 for the second consecutive year. This achievement also marks 142 SQN's fourth win since its inception in 1974 – it also clinched the Best Fighter Squadron award in 2001, 2019 and 2024. 142 SQN conducts a wide spectrum of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and maintains a high state of operational readiness to support Singapore's 24/7 air defence operations. The fighter squadron responded expeditiously to various air incidents throughout the year. Most notably, 142 SQN responded to the alleged bomb threat on Air India Express flight AXB684, where two F-15SGs intercepted and escorted the flight to land safely in October 2024. Beyond the daily training and operational duties, 142 SQN also participates in various local and overseas exercises to sharpen its combat edge, strengthen integrated operations across the SAF, and hone its personnel's professional competencies. Commanding Officer of 142 SQN, Major Muhammad Iskandar, said, "We are deeply honoured to be awarded the Best Fighter Squadron title. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and team spirit of each member in our squadron. We are grateful for the strong support from 7 Air Engineering and Logistics Group and the wider Paya Lebar Air Base, whose support have been steadfast and unwavering. Last but not least, I would also like to thank our families for their unwavering support, which allows us to give our 100% to our mission. Celebrating our win on SG60, a significant milestone in our journey as a nation, makes the award even more meaningful for us. 142 SQN stands ready to face an increasingly unpredictable world, staying committed to excellence, anchored in purpose, and taking full ownership of our mission to defend Singapore.”

The annual SAF Best Unit and Best NS Unit Competitions were introduced in 1969 and 1993 respectively to recognise units which have excelled in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency, and administrative excellence. The units are assessed based on a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process over the past year. The competitions also serve to enhance mission excellence, professionalism, and camaraderie among servicemen in the SAF units.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: Winners of SAF Best Unit Competition 2025