Evolution of the Naval Diving Unit

Following the exit of the British Far East Fleet Clearance Diving Team from Singapore in 1971, the SAF Diving Centre was established to undertake various tasks such as underwater clearance operations, underwater unexploded ordnance disposal, salvage recovery and ship under-hull checks. The SAF Diving Centre was then transformed into the Naval Diving Unit, with expanded roles in underwater demolition, combat diving and maritime special operations.

Over the years, the NDU has played a pivotal role in various operations undertaken by the SAF, both at home and overseas. In 1983, naval divers were deployed in the aftermath of the Sentosa Cable Car incident to conduct search and locate operations for the cable car that crashed into the water. Naval divers were similarly activated at short notice to conduct search and locate operations when Silkair MI185 crashed into the Musi River in Palembang, Indonesia, in 1997. NDU has also supported multinational peace support operations, including the reconstruction of Iraq from 2003 to 2008, and counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden from 2009 to 2018. On a day-to-day basis, NDU contributes to frontline 24/7 maritime security operations through the deployment of Accompanying Sea Security Teams (ASSeT) or Sea Marshals, to conduct regular boarding checks on vessels transiting in Singapore's waters.

Anchoring NDU's Niche in Maritime Special Operations

As the NDU commemorates its 50th anniversary, the formation has restructured to strengthen its capabilities to respond to unconventional threats, which has grown in scale and complexity.

The restructured NDU will be responsible for the development of "raise-train-sustain" capabilities for maritime special operations, which ranges from underwater security operations, underwater explosive ordnance disposal to maritime counter-terrorism operations. Key skills to support special operations in the maritime domain, such as end-to-end ship boarding capabilities, will also be centralised under the NDU. This will enable the NDU to better support operations by SAF task forces such as the Maritime Security Task Force and the Special Operations Task Force.

The restructured NDU will consist of six units to take on the expanded operational demands in maritime special operations:

1. The Special Warfare Group conducts a full-spectrum of ship-boarding operations and maritime counter-terrorism operations.

2. The Special Boat Group will raise, train and sustain all maritime specialised craft, including the Combatant Craft Large (CCL) and Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) which supports operations such as maritime counter-terrorism operations.

3. The Clearance Diving Group employs hybrid teams comprising Regulars and Full-Time National Service divers to perform underwater security operations, including search, locate and recovery operations, and maritime explosive ordnance disposal operations to keep Singapore's vital sea lanes safe.  

4. The Underwater Demolition Group conducts underwater clearance operations to remove obstacles. It will become a National Service unit manned by Operationally Ready National Servicemen (ORNS).

5. The 180 Squadron comprises the ASSeT which conducts compliant ship boarding checks on merchant ships to ensure the safety and security of Singapore's waters.

6. The Frogman School is responsible for the conduct of all training courses within the formation – including Basic Military Training (BMT), Combat Diver Course (CDC), and other professional diving and ship-boarding courses.