SAF Successfully Disposes of World War II Unexploded Ordnance along Tanah Merah Coast Road

The unexploded ordnance (UXO) assessed to be a World War II aerial bomb.

Personnel from the Singapore Army preparing protective works.

Inter-agency coordination during the final checks before the disposal of the unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Singapore Army personnel inspecting recovered fragments to ensure they are safe following UXO disposal.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group (CBRE DG) has successfully disposed of a World War II-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) at Tanah Merah Coast Road in the early hours of 2 April 2026.

The UXO, a 250kg World War II aerial bomb, was discovered during construction works on 31 March 2026. The SAF CBRE DG assessed the ordnance to be unsafe to move, requiring controlled on-site disposal.

To ensure a safe disposal, CBRE DG constructed protective works comprising compacted sandbag overhead cover and reinforced concrete barriers around the UXO to contain the blast and fragmentation effects. The ordnance was subsequently disposed through a controlled detonation in the early morning, minimising disruption to the public and airport operations.

CBRE DG worked in close coordination with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and Changi Airport Group (CAG) throughout the operation. Safety cordons were established and protective measures implemented to safeguard personnel, infrastructure, and the public.

Highlighting the SAF’s commitment to safety and inter-agency collaboration, Commanding Officer of 36th Battalion Singapore Combat Engineers, Lieutenant Colonel Tay Jun Jie, said, “We maintain a high level of operational readiness and remain committed to safeguarding Singapore’s security. For such incidents, we respond swiftly, plan thoroughly and work closely with partner agencies to mitigate risks effectively and execute operations safely. Our priority is to ensure a safe and controlled disposal, with the safety of the public and our personnel as our foremost priority.”

Working closely with the SAF, DSTA Senior Principal Engineer from the Blast Simulation and Testing group, Mr Ng Chor Boon said, “We applied advanced numerical modelling techniques to determine the effects of the fortified structure’s blast leakages on the surroundings. These techniques were applied using protective engineering design and explosives effects validation tests. These enabled us to compute the safety zones which enabled the SAF commanders and planners to better balance operations and mitigate risks to the surroundings.”

The SAF remains committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to work closely with partner agencies in responding to UXO discoveries.