Singapore’s NDP 2025 to Feature Historic SCDF Guard of Honour
Milestone Parade Marks 60 Years of Independence with Expanded Contingents
Singapore’s National Day Parade (NDP) in 2025 will showcase a first-ever Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) guard-of-honour contingent, alongside the largest number of marching groups at the Padang in over three decades. The event commemorates the nation’s 60th anniversary of independence.
Expanded Participation and Complex Logistics
The 2025 parade, scheduled for August 9th, will feature 40 marching contingents – a significant increase from previous years. Colonel Lim Yu Sing, chairman of the parade and ceremony, noted the added complexity in coordinating movements with the expanded number of participants. The teams have been training for approximately 14 weekends to ensure precision.
Meticulous planning has focused on details such as turning points, spacing, marching tempo, and halting positions, according to Col. Lim, who also chaired the 2023 parade. The increased scale requires careful attention to detail to maintain the parade’s traditional standards.
SCDF Inclusion Reflects Public Demand
The inclusion of the SCDF was prompted by feedback from the public, stated Ling Young Ern, SCDF Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Resilience. The force will continue to be a part of the guard of honour in future NDPs. This decision necessitated SCDF personnel undergoing training with the SAR21 rifle, a standard weapon for guard-of-honour troops but not typically part of their equipment.
According to a 2024 report by the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs, the SCDF responded to approximately 200,000 incidents annually, highlighting the vital role they play in national security and emergency response. Ministry of Home Affairs
Leadership and Participant Numbers
Lieutenant-Colonel Firdaus Ghazali, 38, will lead the parade as commander, with Master Warrant Officer Lim Jie Hui, 46, serving as regimental sergeant major. Approximately 2,100 participants will be involved, including six guard-of-honour contingents, SAF colours party, supporting contingents from the SAF and Home Team, uniformed youth groups, civilian organizations, a combined band, and a live choir.
Volunteer Corps Reaches Milestone
The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) will field a full contingent for the first time, marking its 10th anniversary. Arlene Pang, 42, the SAFVC contingent commander, emphasized the growth of the corps since its inception in 2015. She described the experience as evolving “from primary school to secondary school.”
“Aug 9 will be a historic moment for the force. I am excited to see how future parades may evolve, with the SCDF guard-of-honour contingent now a permanent fixture in the NDP.”
—Major Lee En Hao, SCDF’s inaugural guard-of-honour contingent commander
Parade Enhancements and Public Engagement
Spectators can view an uncasing ceremony of the SAF colours at Marina Square from 5:15pm before the parade begins. The live choir, comprised of 127 students from Greendale Secondary School and singers from Voices of Singapore, will perform on “island stages” near the seating galleries. A 100-piece band, featuring musicians from various SAF and Home Team bands, will also participate.
During the state flag flypast, uniformed youth contingents will use umbrellas to form the words “Majulah 60,” a tribute to the NDP 2025 theme and Singapore’s 60th birthday. For those without tickets, four 25-pounder guns will be sailed around Marina Bay on SAF Mobility 3rd Generation rafts, approaching The Promontory @ Marina Bay.
LTC Firdaus, who participated in the NDP as a performer in 2002, expressed that leading the parade was a childhood dream. He developed a “deep appreciation for the parade and its significance” after observing rehearsals as a student.
