Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition

The Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition is an annual competition which confers awards of recognition to the most outstanding units of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence. Besides encouraging the above, the award also seeks to promote esprit-de-corps and camaraderie among participating Army, Air Force and Navy units through friendly competition.[1]

The assessment factors of the competition are:

  • Combat Proficiency Test
  • Marksmanship Test
  • Individual Physical Proficiency Test
  • Standard Obstacle Course
  • Unarmed Combat
  • Security
  • Manpower Matters
  • Logistics Readiness Inspection
  • Vehicle State
  • Training Safety

The competition was started for active SAF units in 1969, before being extended to the reservist units (now known as NS units) in 1993. These units are conferred their awards at the annual Singapore Armed Forces Day parade.

The types of units that participate include:

  • Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR)
  • Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE)
  • Ordnance Supply Base (OSB), the Kranji base[2]

Past active unit winners

Active Army units

The 1st Commando Battalion has won the Best Combat Unit for an unprecedented 33 times since the award was launched in 1969, and for 17 consecutive years since 2004[3]

YearBest Army Units
CombatCombat SupportInfantry/GuardsArmourArtilleryEngineersSignalsCombat Service Support[4]
19691 SIRNot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contested
1970
19713 SIR
19724 SIRGEB
19732 SIR1 SIB
19741 CDO BN1 SIB
197530 SCE
197630 SCE
197736 SCE1 SIR41 SAR24 SA36 SCE
197841 SAR1 SIG BN4 SIR41 SAR24 SA35 SCE1 SIG BN
197942 SARSAFPU6 SIR42 SAR160 BN38 SCE2 SIG BN
19807 SIRSAFPU7 SIR41 SAR160 BN38 SCE1 SIG BN
19813 GDS2 SIG BN3 GDS46 SAR22 SA38 SCE2 SIG BN
198242 SARSAFPU3 GDS42 SAR23 SA38 SCE2 SIG BNGSMB
19833 GDS2 SIG BN3 GDS46 SAR25 SA35 SCE2 SIG BNOSB
198441 SAR40 SAR3 GDS40 SAR22 SA35 SCE1 SIG BNOSB
19851 CDO BN40 SAR1 CDO BN41 SAR22 SA35 SCE1 SIG BNOSB
19865 SIR40 SAR5 SIR40 SAR23 SA36 SCE1 SIG BN1 TPT BN
19871 CDO BNSAFPU6 SIR40 SAR24 SA36 SCE-OSB
198820 SA5 SIR40 SAR20 SA35 SCE-OSB
198920 SA2 SIR41 SAR20 SA36 SCE-OSB
199024 SA5 SIR41 SAR24 SA36 SCE-6 DSMB
19913 GDS24 SA3 GDS46 SAR24 SA35 SCE-GSMB
19921 CDO BN22 SA1 GDS42 SAR22 SA36 SCE-GSMB
199323 SA5 SIR42 SAR23 SA36 SCE-GSMB
199420 SA5 SIR40 SAR20 SA36 SCE3 SIG BN1 TPT BN
199522 SA3 GDS42 SAR22 SA36 SCE1 SIG BN1 TPT BN
199636 SCE1 GDS42 SAR23 SA36 SCE1 SIG BN1 TPT BN
19973 SIR36 SCE3 SIR40 SAR21 SA36 SCE2 SIG BN9 DSMB
19981 SIR36 SCE1 SIR40 SAR21 SA36 SCE1 SIG BN9 DSMB
19991 CDO BN21 SA1 SIR40 SAR21 SA36 SCE2 SIG BN1 TPT BN
200020 SA3 GDS40 SAR20 SA36 SCE2 SIG BN3 DSMB
20012 SIG BN3 GDS40 SAR24 SA35 SCE2 SIG BN9 DSMB
200240 SAR20 SA1 SIR40 SAR20 SA36 SCE2 SIG BN3 TPT BN
20031 GDS3 SIG BN1 GDS46 SAR24 SA36 SCE3 SIG BNGSMB
20041 CDO BN3 TPT BN3 SIR46 SAR24 SA36 SCE3 SIG BN3 TPT BN
200523 SA1 SIR41 SAR23 SA35 SCE3 SIG BN3 TPT BN
20063 SIG BN5 SIR46 SAR23 SA36 SCE3 SIG BNGSMB
20073 SIG BN2 SIR40 SAR24 SA36 SCE3 SIG BN1 AMB
200824 SA3 GDS40 SAR24 SA30 SCE2 SIG BN3 TPT BN
200939 SCE3 SIR42 SAR23 SA39 SCE3 SIG BN3 TPT BN
201039 SCE3 GDS42 SAR21 SA39 SCE1 SIG BN3 TPT BN
201124 SA3 SIR48 SAR24 SA39 SCE1 SIG BN3 TPT BN
201211 C4I3 SIR48 SAR24 SA35 SCE11 C4I6 AMB
20131 SIG BN4 SIR40 SAR24 SA35 SCE1 SIG BN6 AMB
20141 SIG BN4 SIR40 SAR24 SA38 SCE1 SIG BN6 AMB
201538 SCE1 GDS48 SAR24 SA38 SCE1 SIG BN6 AMB
20163 GDS40 SAR24 SA38 SCE1 SIG BNGSAB
20171 GDS48 SAR24 SA38 SCE1 SIG BN6 AMB
20183 GDS48 SAR24 SA38 SCE11 C4I6 AMB[5]
20193 SIR41 SAR24 SA38 SCE17 C4I6 AMB[6]
20201 GDS40 SAR24 SA38 SCE11 C4I6 AMB
YearCombatCombat SupportInfantry/GuardsArmourArtilleryEngineersSignalsCombat Service Support[4]

Retired award

YearBest Army Units
Minor (1974-1976)
1974OMB
1975SAFPU
197636 SCE


Active Navy units

Two new awards in maritime security and in naval engineering and logistics were introduced in 2015.

RSS Intrepid (Formidable-class frigate), winner of Best Ship Award in 2013
RSS Victory
YearBest Navy Units
Fleet[7]Maritime SecurityNaval Engineering & Logistics
1981RSS Independence (Fast patrol craft)Not contestedNot contested
1982RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1983RSS Justice (Fast patrol craft)
1984RSS Dauntless (Fast patrol craft)
1985RSS Persistence (County-class LST)
1986RSS Swift Archer (Coastal patrol craft)
1987RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1988RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1989RSS Sea Wolf (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1990RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1991RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1992RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette)
1993RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette)
1994RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1995RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)
1996
1997RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1998RSS Sea Lion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)
1999RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)
2000
2001RSS Vigour (Victory-class corvette)
2002
2003RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette)
2004RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette)
2005RSS Resolution (Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank)
2006RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette)
2007
2008RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate)
2009RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)
2010RSS Stalwart (Formidable-class frigate)
2011RSS Chieftain (Challenger-class submarine)
2012RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette)
2013RSS Intrepid (Formidable-class frigate)
2014RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate)
2015RSS TenaciousRSS ResilienceSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)
2016RSS VigourRSS BedokSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Networks and Sensors)
2017RSS SteadfastRSS ResilienceShip Superintending Engineering Centre
2018RSS StalwartRSS DaringSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)
2019RSS FormidableRSS IndependenceSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)
2020RSS VigourRSS IndependenceShip Superintendent Engineering Centre
YearFleet[7]Maritime SecurityNaval Engineering & Logistics

Active Air Force units

The Best Helicopter Squadron award was introduced in 2010 to recognise the contributions of the RSAF helicopter squadrons. In 2014, two new awards in Control and Air Engineering were introduced. A new award in air logistics was introduced in 2015. 140 SQN currently holds the record for clinching the Best fighter Squadron 13 times.

YearBest Air Force Units
Fighter SquadronHelicopter SquadronGround Based Air Defence[8]Air Combat Support[9]Control SquadronAir EngineeringAir Logistics
1985145 SQN (A-4S Skyhawk)Not contested165 SADANot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contested
1986140 SQN (Hawker Hunter)165 SADA
1987149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II)165 SADA
1988149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II)160 SADA
1989143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)160 SADA120 SQN (UH-1H)
1990143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)165 SADA122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)
1991140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SADA111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye)
1992140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)165 SADA120 SQN (UH-1H)
1993140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SADA125 SQN (Super Puma)
1994140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SADA126 SQN (Cougar)
1995144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)160 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)
1996140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)3 DA BN120 SQN (UH-1H)
1997145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)165 SQN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)
1998145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)165 SQN122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)
1999140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SQN125 SQN (Super Puma)
2000145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)163 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)
2001142 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)163 SQN111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye)
2002149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)3 DA BN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)
2003140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)18 DA BN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)
2004149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)160 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)
2005144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)160 SQN122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)
2006140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)160 SQN112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker)
2007140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)3 DA BN127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook)
2008149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)3 DA BN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)
2009144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)3 DA BN112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker)
2010140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook)3 DA BN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)
2011149 SQN120 SQN165 SQN121 SQN
2012145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)126 SQN163 SQN111 SQN
2013149 SQN (F-15SG Strike Eagle)126 SQN163 SQN116 SQN
2014145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)125 SQN163 SQN122 SQN203 SQN807 SQN
2015144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)126 SQN163 SQN112 SQN206 SQN807 SQNAir Force Supply Centre
2016140 SQN127 SQN6 DA BN121 SQN208 SQN807 SQN707 SQN
2017143 SQN125 SQN165 SQN121 SQN205 SQN811 SQNAir Force Supply Centre
2018149 SQN125 SQN165 SQN112 SQN207 SQN817 SQN706 SQN
2019 142 SQN 125 SQN 3 DA BN 119 SQN 206 SQN 811 SQN 707 SQN
YearFighter SquadronHelicopter SquadronGround Based Air Defence[8]Air Combat Support[9]ControlAir EngineeringAir Logistics

Past National Service unit winners

Army NS units

YearBest Army NS Units
Infantry / GuardsArmourArtilleryCombat engineersSignalsCombat Service Support
199467 GDS / 88 GDS / 187 SIR422 SAR211 SA307 SCE6 SIG BN9 DS MED BN
1995514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS / 91 GDS432 SAR204 SA307 SCE8 SIG BN9 DS MED BN
1996184 SIR / 188 SIR / 504 SIR / 514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS423 SAR265 SA307 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
199783 SIR / 188 SIR / 525 SIR / 541 SIR / 70 GDS / 550 GDS423 SAR204 SA321 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
1998184 SIR / 514 SIR / 525 SIR / 542 SIR / 531 GDS / 549 GDS416 SAR204 SA308 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
1999185 SIR / 187 SIR / 523 SIR / 573 SIR / 531 GDS / 548 GDS425 SAR211 SA322 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
200085 SIR / 187 SIR / 524 SIR / 573 SIR / 595 SIR / 548 GDS466 SAR211 SA323 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2001516 SIR / 542 SIR / 557 SIR / 602 SIR / 86 GDS / 90 GDS466 SAR274 SA326 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2002652 SIR / 621 SIR / 596 SIR / 550 GDS / 86 GDS / 524 SIR466 SAR254 SA324 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2003652 SIR / 652 SIR / 595 SIR / 550 GDS / 90 GDS / 548 GDS466 SAR271 SA327 SCE9 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2004652 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 543 SIR / 566 SIR / 583 GDS424 SAR278 SA328 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2005588 SIR / 596 SIR / 657 SIR / 682 SIR / 550 GDS466 SAR275 SA324 SCE6 SIG BN9 DS MED BN
2006626 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 581 SIR / 609 SIR442 SAR278 SA324 SCE6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN
2007652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 609 SIR / 566 SIR466 SAR256 SA328 SCE6 SIG BN31 FCCS BN
2008652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 634 GDS / 663 SIR442 SAR280 SA327 SCE6 SIG BN31 FCSS BN
2009652 SIR / 622 SIR / 696 SIR / 685 GDS / 628 SIR442 SAR282 SA329 SCE6 SIG BN31 FCSS BN
2010588 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 685 GDS / 663 SIR442 SAR280 SA329 SCE9 SIG BN31 FCSS BN
2011688 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 724 GDS / 693 SIR453 SAR282 SA329 SCE9 SIG BN31 FCSS BN
2012778 SIR / 700 SIR / 803 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS452 SAR282 SA329 SCE6 SIG BN31 FCCS BN
2013688 SIR / 755 SIR / 720 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS430 SAR287 SA321 SCE6 SIG BN3 CSH
2014688 SIR / 755 SIR / 787 SIR / 734 GDS / 611 GDS483 SAR289 SA324 SCE6 SIG BN32 CSS BN
2015688 SIR / 700 SIR / 787 SIR / 740 GDS / 611 GDS485 SAR289 SA321 SCE9 SIG BN8 CSH
2016754 SIR / 772 SIR / 787 SIR / 735 GDS / 611 SIR485 SAR288 SA324 SCE9 SIG BN3 CSH
2017733 SIR / 769 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 812 SIR474 SAR289 SA327 SCE9 SIG BN2 CSH
2018746 SIR / 772 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 612 SIR473 SAR288 SA324 SCE9 SIG BN63 CSS BN
2019 746 SIR/ 769 SIR/ 790 SIR/ 745 GDS/ 792 SIR 474 SAR 267 SA 327 SCE 9 SIG BN 63 CSS BN
Year Infantry / Guards Armour Artillery Combat engineers Signals Combat Service Support

Retired award

YearBest Army NS Units
People's Defence Force Command
199473 SIR / 184 SIR
199563 SIR / 504 SIR

A new Best Naval NS Unit award was introduced from 2015.

YearBest Naval NS Units
Naval
2015RSS Vigilance (Victory-class missile corvette)
2016RSS Vengeance Team 1
2017RSS Vengeance Team 1
2018RSS Vengeance Team 1
2019 RSS Vengeance

Controversies

In 2009, three regulars from the 24th Battalion Singapore Artillery were convicted of falsifying their unit's test scores. Soldiers' results for the standard obstacle were doctored. As a result, the unit was disqualified that year and the trio were convicted and fined by the General Court Martial.[10]

References

  1. SAF Honours its Best Units
  2. An example of past Ordnance Supply Base
  3. https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/milestones/2019-Q2/24jun19_news1
  4. Known as "Best Logistics Unit" before 2006.
  5. https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/june/25jun18_fs
  6. "Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2019". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  7. Known as "Best Ship" before 2015.
  8. Known as "Best Air Defence Artillery" before 2010.
  9. Known as "Best Tactical Support Squadron" before 2010.
  10. Chow, Jermyn (16 December 2009). "Three altered scores for best unit contest". The Straits Times.

Press releases

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