Roving exhibition celebrates 60th anniversary of Singapore Armed Forces

SINGAPORE – A roving exhibition launched on April 2 showcases the humble beginnings of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as well as its operations and achievements on the way to its transformation to a modern, technologically advanced fighting force.

The exhibition, which will make its way around Singapore from May to October, comes as the SAF marks SAF60, the 60th anniversary since its formation following Singapore’s independence in 1965.

The theme of the exhibition is Defending Our Home, Securing Our Future, which the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) says encapsulates the SAF’s enduring mission and commitment to safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty, security and future.

Speaking at its official launch at the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) in Jurong on April 2, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said the exhibition shows how the SAF has reliably underpinned Singapore’s peace, security and prosperity since independence.

“This is a powerful opportunity to bring the stories behind the SAF’s success closer to every Singaporean, highlighting how commitment, innovation and public support have built the strong defence we rely on today,” he added.

Three concurrent showcases of the exhibition will be held at the SDC, the Singapore Air Force Museum at Paya Lebar Air Base and the Singapore Navy Museum in Tanah Merah until April 30.

The exhibition is jointly organised by Defence Collective Singapore (DCS), Nexus and the SAF. Nexus is a Mindef agency responsible for Total Defence and national education.

The exhibition showcases the SAF’s capabilities and outlines its plans for the future, its roles in protecting Singapore’s sovereignty, and contributions to the nation’s peace and progress over the past six decades.

These include the SAF’s involvement in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, peacekeeping missions and real-life counter-terrorism missions such as the Flight SQ117 hijack in 1991.

In addition to learning about the SAF, younger visitors and collectors can also play an interactive game to win exclusive collectible figurines dispensed by a gachapon machine.

The exhibition will hit the road from May, to various locations around Singapore, including:

Mindef said that the full list of locations is still being finalised, and will be updated on the DCS website at

defencecollectivesg.com/saf60-sdc-2025

when they are available.

Another key feature of the exhibition is a collection of human-interest stories and experiences of servicemen and women who have contributed to Singapore’s defence, such as the pioneers who joined the nascent SAF and current serving members.

Among the veterans featured is First Warrant Officer (Ret) Mohamed Haniffa Jainul Abitheen, 78, who joined the Singapore Air Defence Command, which eventually became the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1969. He served in uniform until 1996.

1WO (Ret) Haniffa said that the exhibition serves to remind Singaporeans about the importance of having a credible defence force.

That sentiment was echoed by Captain Edwin Khoo, 36, a weapons system officer (fighter) with the RSAF’s 145 Squadron, who described the exhibition as a good way to engage with Singaporeans beyond what the SAF does in community engagement.

Cpt Khoo and his two siblings, Major Janet Khoo, 41, head of the safety, education and training branch of the Naval Inspectorate in the Republic of Singapore Navy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Khoo, 40, commanding officer of the Specialist Cadet School III, are among the serving SAF personnel featured in the exhibition.

The three siblings said being featured in the exhibition was a proud moment for them, with MAJ Khoo adding that while challenging, her job in the SAF was fruitful and filled her with a sense of purpose.