Infantry (Singapore Army)
Singapore Infantry Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1957 – present |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Infantry |
Size | Seven battalions |
Part of | Singapore Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Mandai Hill Camp Kranji Camp III Selarang Camp Maju Camp Clementi Camp |
March | Singapore Infantry Regiment March |
Engagements | Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation[1][2][3] |
Commanders | |
Chief Infantry Officer | Brigadier-General Chua Jin Kiat |
The Singapore Infantry Regiment is the main formation of the Singapore Army. It consists of seven full-time battalions and a number of National Service (NS), or Reservist battalions.
History
The 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) was formed on 12 March 1957 against the backdrop of self-government for Singapore. Recruitment began on 4 March 1957 with only Singapore citizens and persons born and bred in Singapore were recruited. Out of a total of 1,420 applicants, 237 were initially accepted for training. It was intended that 1 SIR together with another battalion would form part of a regiment within a brigade group in the Singapore Military Forces.
Self-government for Singapore in 1959 gave 1 SIR the opportunity to mount the Istana Guards in place of the Gurkhas, while the battalion was presented with Queen's and Regimental Colours in 1961. The following year, the 2nd Battalion was raised.
For two years between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was part of Malaysia, and the regiment was renamed the Malaysian Infantry Regiment. Both battalions saw service in the Confrontation, with 1 SIR posted to Sebatik Island in Sabah and 2 SIR to Labis, Johor. On Singapore's independence in 1965, the regiment regained its former name. In 1967 two more battalions, the 3rd and 4th, were raised as part of the move towards National Service. 1 SIR and 2 SIR were also converted to NS battalions. Four further battalions were raised over the next few years, although 7 SIR and the older 8 SIR were eventually re-roled to become the 3rd and 2nd Battalions, Singapore Guards.
Current status
Currently, there are eight active battalions, each of which is assigned to an infantry brigade in one of the army's three Combined Arms Divisions except 9 & the newer 8 SIR, which is assigned to 2 People's Defence Force. This is alongside two per brigade of NS battalions. Besides training for their conventional warfare role, different infantry battalions specialise in unique roles.
For example, 3 SIR, 8 SIR and 9 SIR specialise in urban operations, protection of installations (POI) for SAF installations, and POI for civilian key installations respectively. This arrangement, which may change according to operating environments, also allows MINDEF to try out new tactics and equipment.
As of May 2011, 2 SIR has been converted into a motorised infantry battalion in the effort to shift towards a 3rd Generation SAF.[4] The plan is to convert 3 conventional infantry battalions to motorised infantry that is 1 per Combined Arms Divisions.
On 3 March 2020, 4 SIR ended its journey with the safekeeping of its Ceremonial Colours after 52 years and 17 mono intakes. The 17th mono 4SIR handed over Lim Chu Kang Camp 1 on 26 June 2018, and subsequently turned operationally-ready on 17 January 2020.
Units
Singapore Infantry Brigades
- 2 People's Defence Force (2 PDF)
- 21st Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 22nd Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 26th Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 27th Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 29th Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 32nd Singapore Infantry Brigade
- 3rd DIVISION (3 DIV)
- 6th DIVISION (6 DIV)
- 9th DIVISION/INFANTRY (9 DIV)
Singapore Infantry Battalions
Battalion | Motto | Location | Under | Regimental Colours |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Battalion (1 SIR) | First and Foremost | Mandai Hill Camp | HQ 6 DIV | Yellow |
2nd Battalion (2 SIR) | Second to None | Kranji Camp III | HQ 3 DIV | Red |
3rd Battalion (3 SIR) | Silent and Effective | Selarang Camp | HQ 6 DIV | Green |
4th Battalion (4 SIR), closed 2 March 2020 | Towards Greater Heights | Bukit Panjang Camp | HQ 6 DIV | Blue |
5th Battalion (5 SIR) | Silent, Deadly, Swift | Kranji Camp III | HQ 3 DIV | Brown |
6th Battalion (6 SIR) | Tough and Effective | Maju Camp | HQ 3 DIV | Purple |
8th Battalion (8 SIR) | Ready and Vigilant | Clementi Camp | HQ 2 PDF | Maroon |
9th Battalion (9 SIR) | Vigilant and Resilient | Maju Camp | HQ 2 PDF | Orange |
Headquarters
- 1st Battalion - Mandai Hill Camp
- 2nd Battalion - Kranji Camp III
- 3rd Battalion - Selarang Camp
- 5th Battalion - Kranji Camp III
- 6th Battalion - Maju Camp
- 8th Battalion - Clementi Camp
- 9th Battalion - Maju Camp
Alliances
United Kingdom – Royal Ulster Rifles; 2 SIR [5]
References
- Notes
- ^ "1957 - Our First Battalion". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "1963 - Konfrontasi". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "1963 - Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)