NDP 2024: Where to watch the flag flypast and F-16s in the heartlands

SINGAPORE: If you won't be at the Padang to watch the National Day Parade, you can still soak in the sights at several heartland locations where F-16 jets and the state flag will fly past.

As part of the Fly Our Flag segment, two CH-47SD/F heavy lift helicopters - each escorted by two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters - will carry the state flag around Singapore from 5.45pm to 6.30pm on Aug 9.

There will be two routes, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Friday (Jul 5). 

The western route will include locations such as Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Jurong and West Coast. 

The eastern route will comprise areas such as Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Bedok and East Coast. 

Six F-16s will also conduct a flypast from around 6pm to 6.30pm.

The display can be seen from locations such as Clementi, Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Seletar, Punggol and Bendemeer, said MINDEF.

Singapore celebrates 59 years of independence this year. It will also mark 40 years of Total Defence, the country's national defence concept, with a special aerial segment at the parade.

It will showcase two pairs of F-16s being scrambled to intercept suspicious aircraft heading toward Singapore.

"The public can see the first pair flying across the Padang symbolising how the F-16 protects our nation, while the second pair will fly in from the rear of the National Gallery Singapore and perform a vertical climb to demonstrate the agility and capability of the fighter jet," said MINDEF.

Two ground-based air defence systems known as SPYDER will then enter the Padang.

"The SPYDERs will be featured in its deployed mode, showcasing its capabilities in defending our skies through the use of pyrotechnics to simulate a missile firing and neutralising of the air target," the ministry added.

Another aerial display will showcase an air-sea operation, with two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters executing a target engagement manoeuvre over Marina Bay and the Padang in support of maritime operations.

NDP organisers are expecting 27,000 people at the Padang, similar to previous years. 

But there could be a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the number of people gathering at Marina Bay due to activities such as a "warfighting" demonstration taking place between the Padang and Marina Bay.