SINGAPORE - Spectators at this year's Golden Jubilee Parade have been treated to a spectacular performance in the skies, with the biggest fleet of aircraft to appear at the show in almost 40 years.

In the chapter detailing the "Progress" of the nation, more than 2,000 men and women from across 37 contingents were led by parade commander Lieutenant-Colonel Alvin Tijoe.

The 52-minute long military parade featured four Guard of Honour contingents, the Singapore Armed Forces Colours Party and 10 uniformed group contingents, among others.

Soldiers getting ready to march in. More than 2,000 men and women were part of the 52-minute military parade. ST PHOTO: LIM YI HAN

As the Padang resonated with the singing of the national anthem, the Singapore flag was flown past by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, accompanied by two helicopters.

This year's show featured fifty aircraft comprising fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft.

In a salute to the nation, 20 F-16 fighter jets wowed the audience as they formed the number 50, flying at a speed of 600km/h over the Padang.

The segment rounded off with the Republic of Singapore Air Force's aerobatics Black Knights pilots executing a fan-out manoeuvre, where their jets leave behind a bomb-burst of smoke trails.

The aerial show included several displays including an arrowhead formation by helicopters, the "VIC" formation by transport and maritime patrol aircraft and a solo combat turn by a F-15SG fighter jet, showcasing its precision and agility.

The ace Black Knight pilots also performed a heart-stopping "criss-cross" manoeuvre in which the planes fly seemingly close to each other, followed by two of them executing a near-vertical climb.