SAF'S FIRST OF ITS KIND INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE HONES MARKSMANSHIP SKILLS

1383914682188 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1383914682188.jpg?sfvrsn=ef917326_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/SAF-S-FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND-INDOOR-SHOOTING-RANGE-HONES-MARKSMANSHIP-SKILLS
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/SAF-S-FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND-INDOOR-SHOOTING-RANGE-HONES-MARKSMANSHIP-SKILLS
SAF'S FIRST OF ITS KIND INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE HONES MARKSMANSHIP SKILLS
04 Oct 2013 | MILESTONES

SAF'S FIRST OF ITS KIND INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE HONES MARKSMANSHIP SKILLS

STORY // Koh Eng Beng
PHOTO // Chua Soon Lye

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers can now look forward to honing their marksmanship skills even more effectively at the newly-launched indoor firing range complex.

The three-storey Multi-Mission Range Complex (MMRC) houses seven ranges which can simulate day and night conditions. Soldiers can complete their day and night shoots within a day. The indoor ranges also mean that shooting practices can go on in rainy weather.

Soldiers also do not have to handle administrative and logistic matters which are now taken care of by civilian contractors at the MMRC.

Up to 900 soldiers can complete their shoots at the MMRC in one day. This would have taken two to three days in an outdoor range.

The MMRC started operating six months ago. Since then, more than 22,000 servicemen, including Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), have trained at the complex.

2nd Sergeant (NS) Christopher Wong said the efficiency of the MMRC allows NSmen to get the most out of their annual In-Camp Training (ICT).

"We want to get everything done within a short time frame. As NSmen, we just want to refresh our basic shooting... (without having to perform) administrative tasks, we can actually focus on core skills of shooting."

The MMRC is also the first of its kind in the world to house four different types of ranges in a single complex, providing marksmanship training in both conventional and urban settings.

Speaking at the launch of the MMRC, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said: "This complex represents a significant step up that will raise the level of fundamental soldiering skills for our SAF men and women, in particular, their shooting and marksmanship."

The four different types of ranges at the MMRC allow the SAF to train soldiers in both basic and advanced shooting.

At the standard 100-metre range, soldiers practise their basic and combat shoots. At the urban operations range, they get to hone their close-quarters shooting skills, while manoeuvring through a series of rooms.

They also get a feel of what it is like to operate in a multi-storey building at the multi-tier range. Comprising two levels of targets, the range enables soldiers to train in engaging stationary and moving targets at different heights.

At the Video Targetry System (VTS) range, soldiers are put through scenarios to hone their ability to discern between enemy targets and civilians. Weapons loaded with live bullets are used for added realism.

Colonel Chiang Hock Woon, Commander 9th Division and Chief Infantry Officer, said the MMRC offers realistic urban training for SAF soldiers which cannot be replicated at outdoor ranges.

"When we send our soldiers for operations we want them to survive. And today's operating environment is very complex; our soldiers have to be capable in conventional terrain and also in urban terrain. The MMRC is one such facility that allows our soldiers to train effectively in urban terrain."

He added that the indoor shoots will complement outfield training. Soldiers can strengthen their shooting fundamentals in a controlled environment before they go for live firing in the field.

The MMRC also helps the SAF to overcome the problem of land scarcity in Singapore. It sits on a single 100m range, but provides seven ranges across three stories in the same building.

Said Dr Ng: "This complex now allows us to do much more in training and to test our soldiers' shooting proficiency, but yet utilises much less space, compared to before."


Suggested Reading
Feature
DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS BMTC
OPS & TRAINING
04 Aug 2025

In his first visit to BMTC as Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing observed enhancements to training and support to better prepare soldiers for modern operations.

Feature
CHAMPIONS FOR INNOVATION
TECHNOLOGY
30 Jul 2025

Eleven Minister for Defence Awards (MDA) were given out this year, for innovations by MINDEF and SAF personnel that led to improved efficiency and safer working conditions.

Feature
GIANT LEAPS INTO NEW BOOTS
PEOPLE
29 Jul 2025

A career change is never easy, but a jump out of their comfort zones into the SAF is just what mid-careerists ME4 Jessica Ho and ME4 V. Yoginita wanted.

Feature
BEHIND THE PARADE
COMMUNITY
28 Jul 2025

Months of hard work and burnt weekends, all for Singapore’s biggest birthday bash. Here’s your backstage pass to this year’s National Day Parade!

MINDEF VOLUNTEERS HONOURED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO S’PORE’S DEFENCE
COMMUNITY
24 Jul 2025

These volunteers play a key role in promoting public awareness on defence matters and inspiring support for National Service.

FROM AUDITOR TO AIR WARFARE OFFICER
PEOPLE
23 Jul 2025

LTA Liz Voon swapped financial audits for air defence missions. Meet this mid-careerist who left one of the “Big 4” accounting firms to pursue her purpose in the RSAF, in PIONEER’s “From Desk to Field” series!

SHIP-TACULAR NDP 2025 DISPLAY AT MARINA BAY
COMMUNITY
19 Jul 2025

The maritime display is part of this year’s special NDP mobile column, joining the aerial flypast over the Padang and the drive-past along St Andrew’s Road.

Cover story
COMMITMENT IS OUR GREATEST DETERRENCE: MR CHAN
OPS & TRAINING
19 Jul 2025

Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing witnessed the commitment of NSmen to Singapore’s defence, during his visit to a mobilisation exercise involving over 2,000 soldiers.

WHEN ENGINEERING INNOVATION MEETS NATIONAL DEFENCE
PEOPLE
16 Jul 2025

ME5 Joshua Tay brings 18 years of expertise in many different fields to the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS). Meet this mid-careerist in the latest of PIONEER’s “From Desk to Field” series!

Cover story
FLYING HIGH FOR SG60
COMMUNITY
10 Jul 2025

The sky’s the limit when it comes to putting on a spectacular National Day Parade (NDP) aerial display for Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee.