Mr Chan Chun Sing observes data-driven training, drone skills and mental resilience initiatives during visit to the Basic Military Training Centre.
Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) at Pulau Tekong on the afternoon of 4 August 2025. The visit offered an in-depth look at how training programmes have been modernised through the use of data, technology and science-based methods to better prepare recruits for the physical and mental demands of military service.
Mr Chan observed a metabolic circuit session that utilised heart rate zone training, where recruits used wearable fitness trackers to monitor their own performance. This personalised, data-informed approach aims to optimise fitness outcomes while taking into account individual capabilities.
At the Tekong Physiotherapy Centre, physiotherapists outlined injury prevention and rehabilitation efforts, while counsellors briefed Mr Chan on psychological support initiatives aimed at helping recruits adjust to military life. The mental preparedness programme includes techniques to manage stress and sustain focus under pressure.
The visit also showcased the integration of technology into soldiering skills, with Mr Chan observing a drone training session, followed by a field camp exercise involving tactical movement drills and further drone operations. Speaking after his tour, Mr Chan noted: “The SAF has always used technology to complement our fighting capabilities… but there are some things that will never change – the will to fight, the inner spirit, and resilience.”
Mr Chan was accompanied during the visit by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Army Major General Cai Dexian, and other senior officers from MINDEF and SAF.
Source : MINDEF
