To celebrate Singapore's 50th year of independence, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s aerobatics team, the Black Knights, will perform a 25-minute aerial display over the waters off the Marina South during the Golden Jubilee Weekend from 7 to 9 August 2015. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Black Knights pioneers witnessed the aerobatics rehearsal at the Marina Barrage this afternoon. Following the rehearsal, Dr Ng interacted with the Black Knights pioneers, the current Black Knights team and their families.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ng said, "When we founded the SAF, very few people believed we could defend Singapore. In military terms if you ask military strategists, they will say you have no depth, you have limited manpower, how can you defend this place. But 50 years on, the reason why we are showcasing our capabilities during the National Day Parade is to show how far we have come… having seen all the performances, I will say that Singaporeans who see these performances will be very wowed. It is an awesome display of precision flying and some very artistically done, so I think it is going to be a good show."

Sharing his thoughts after viewing the aerobatics rehearsal, Brigadier-General (Retired) Michael Teo Eng Cheng, former Chief of Air Force and a Black Knights pioneer who flew solo aerobatics in the RSAF’s first fighter aircraft, the Hawker Hunter, said, "I am delighted to watch the Black Knights performance together with my family; it certainly brought back fond memories. The Black Knights epitomise the progress the RSAF has made in being a professional, capable and credible Air Force to keep Singapore safe."

The RSAF Black Knights have been training hard over the past six months to put up a good aerobatics show to celebrate SG50 with fellow Singaporeans. Chairman of the Black Knights Flying Display Committee Colonel Nalpon Patrick Selvan said, “The Black Knights are proud and honoured to be part of the SAF's contribution towards Singapore's Golden Jubilee celebrations. It is also a privilege to perform in front of our Black Knights and RSAF pioneers. Our pioneers have contributed towards building a capable and professional RSAF, and we stand on their shoulders today as we continue to fulfil our mission to defend Singapore's skies."

The Black Knights marked their debut as Singapore's first military aerobatics team in 1973. Unlike most other Air Forces, the Black Knights are not a full-time aerobatics team. They are operational pilots whose primary task is to maintain the readiness of the RSAF and the defence of the nation. The current Black Knights team features six F-16C Fighting Falcons painted in our national red and white colours. In training up for the aerial display over the Jubilee Weekend, the Black Knights had put up a two-aircraft performance earlier this year at Avalon Airshow in Australia and at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia.

Also present at the event were Second Minister for Defence Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou, members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs and Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence, as well as senior SAF officers.