Around 1,000 MINDEF and SAF personnel recited the National Pledge and sang the National Anthem at a ceremony marking Singapore’s 61st National Day.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing led around 1,000 personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in reciting the National Pledge and singing the National Anthem during MINDEF’s National Day Observance Ceremony on 7 August 2026.
The ceremony was held to commemorate Singapore’s 61st birthday and formed part of the wider National Day observances across MINDEF and the SAF. Personnel from the defence community gathered for the ceremony as Singapore prepared to mark its National Day, with similar observances also taking place across SAF units.
As part of the programme, artistes from the Music and Drama Company presented a performance centred on this year’s theme, “The Singapore Show”. The performance took the audience through a medley of familiar songs accompanied by choreography, while tracing the role of the SAF in Singapore’s journey from independence to the present day.
The programme highlighted different chapters of Singapore’s development through music and performance, providing a cultural component to the National Day observance while reflecting the role of the defence community in the country’s national journey.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Joseph Leong and Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng were among the senior officials who attended the ceremony. Other senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF were also present.
The observance at MINDEF was part of National Day activities being conducted throughout the SAF. All SAF units, including overseas training detachments, were also scheduled to hold observance ceremonies to mark Singapore’s 61st National Day.
Source: Ministry of Defence
