First air-land-sea display at NDP 2025 Mobile Column
The NDP Mobile Column makes its highly anticipated return this year not just on land, but also in the air and in the waters of Marina Bay!At the city’s edge, a low mechanical rumble grows into a rhythmic thumping of tracked and wheeled vehicles. In harmony, the entourage rolls onto the grounds of the Padang.
Overhead, jet engines blast and helicopter propellers whir, turning heads and cameras skyward. Next door, naval vessels glide across the waters of Marina Bay.
It’s the Mobile Column, making a highly-anticipated return to the National Day Parade (NDP) at the Padang after six years.
This year’s parade promises to take the Mobile Column up a notch (or three) with a historic first – an integrated display spanning across air, land, and sea!
A total of 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team will be involved, with 143 in the drive-past along St Andrew’s Road, 22 aircraft flying over the Padang, and five vessels in the maritime display at the Bay.
Eleven of them – including the Army’s TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar and the Navy’s Combatant Craft underwater – will be making their NDP debut.
Many generations, one mission
NDP 2025 celebrates not just the nation’s 60th birthday, but also the SAF’s 60th anniversary. The Mobile Column will feature participants from all ages, as a tribute to the generations of soldiers who have served with pride.
Leading the Mobile Column is Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Alex Chan Kwok Hoh, 35. What makes his role even more special is his “driving buddy” – his 10-year-old son Jinghoi!
For LTC (NS) Chan, the Mobile Column is not only an NDP tradition but also a “showstopper”.
“We get to showcase our (the SAF’s) capabilities and, every time we participate in NDP, it reminds me of the importance of national service – why we need to continue to serve and protect our nation,” said the Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman) who works at Alexandra Hospital.
“I know that my Dad (has) worked hard (to be) chosen (for the role of Mobile Column Commander)!” Jinghoi added, beaming with pride.
The student from St Anthony’s Primary School is grateful to be a part of the Mobile Column alongside his father, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
Seasoned participants like Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) (Ret) Jeffrey Chung are no strangers to NDP. The former SAF Sergeant Major, who is now a member of the SAF Veterans’ League, will join other veterans on a 6-tonner as part of the Mobile Column.
2025 being a milestone year for both the nation and the SAF, SWO (Ret) Chung feels that this NDP carries extra weight.
The 69-year-old grandfather of four hopes that Singaporeans watching the Mobile Column recognise the hard work of not only the participants, but also the “home front” (family members) who supports them.
Giving S’poreans something to be proud of
It’s no easy feat putting on an integrated Mobile Column display that spans land, air and water – what more when it involves more than 800 personnel across the various Services, Home Team and other agencies.
3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) Mohammed Husaini Bin Abdullah, a Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle operator, knows too well the effort involved in making the segment a success. “We can start as early as 6.45am!”
But despite the long hours in the sun and hard work getting their vehicles ready, the 31-year-old’s sense of pride and purpose in being involved in NDP 2025 is evident.
He and his team are excited to show Singaporeans and the world a glimpse of the SAF’s capabilities in the Mobile Column.
Like 3WO Husaini, Corporal First Class (CFC) Chua Kee Yeon noted that training has been rigorous, but is proud to take part in this milestone edition of NDP.
The 20-year-old Full-time National Serviceman is the vehicle commander of the RSN’s Dive Support Vehicle (DSV) in the Mobile Column.
Through the Mobile Column, he hopes that Singaporeans will feel a sense of pride that “even though Singapore is such a small country, we are able to build up a strong military and feel safe”.
Bringing the Parade closer to the people
To create a more immersive experience, selected assets will drive onto the Padang show stage to offer spectators in various sectors a close-up view of the platforms and personnel behind them.
The Mobile Column will also journey beyond the Padang into the heartlands on 10 Aug, where vehicles and crews will travel along five routes from the city centre to designated Heartland Celebration sites across Singapore.
