SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has responded to speculation that Chinese contractors are packing their parachutes.

The SAF continues to fully employ parachute riggers, particularly for key operations and training, it said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 12).

"In order to optimise our resources, we have outsourced the parachute-packing function to Singapore Technologies - a reputable local company," said the Facebook post quoting Chief Commando Officer Colonel Simon Lim.

Singapore netizen Leslie Ang made the claim in a post on Jan 10 that was shared close to 1,000 times.

"Learnt from my brother-in-arms our former SAF Riggers' job of preparing our parachutes are now outsourced to PRC contractors!" he said in the post.

SAF clarified in its Facebook post that many of the parachute-packing staff at Singapore Technologies (ST) are former riggers from the Commando unit.

All of the staff undergo training conducted by the SAF Master Rigger. The training is benchmarked against the United States Federal Aviation Administration standards.

"The SAF Master Rigger certifies ST's staff to pack the parachutes, and closely supervises the packing process," Col Lim said.

Singapore Technologies has been packing parachutes for the SAF since 2010, and there have been zero parachute reliability issues, he said.

Read the full statement here:

Mr Leslie Ang responded to the statement on Tuesday: "Chief Commando Officer responded accordingly. Outsourcing is affirmatively awarded to Singapore Technologies. Former riggers form their employees pool. Thank you."