Singapore Tank Incident During NDP Rehearsal Sparks Online Debate
A Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank (L2SG) unexpectedly made contact with a traffic light during a National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal in Singapore on July 5, prompting a wave of reactions online and an investigation by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef). The incident, which occurred along North Bridge Road near Parliament House and the Supreme Court, raised questions about potential mechanical failures and sparked a public discussion about empathy for the service members involved.
Tank Collision During NDP Preview
The incident unfolded during a National Education show, a preview of the mobile column segment planned for Singapore’s NDP on August 9th, marking the nation’s 60th year of independence. A video of the aftermath, posted to the Facebook page SGRV, quickly went viral, garnering 472,000 views within 10 hours and accumulating 2,400 likes and 738 comments as of 9 a.m. on July 6th. The footage shows the traffic light standing visibly askew.
Mindef Confirms Technical Issue
Responding to inquiries, Mindef confirmed that the L2SG experienced a “technical issue” at 7:22 p.m. on July 5th, resulting in the collision. According to the ministry, the tank was traveling within the speed limit of 20kmh at the time of the incident. “The tank crew responded in accordance with standard operating procedures and the L2SG was safely recovered with no damage to the vehicle,” Mindef stated.
No injuries were reported, and the tank remained within a cordoned-off area, ensuring public safety. The affected traffic light stand sustained minor damage and has since been repaired through a collaborative effort between Mindef, the NDP 2025 committee, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Investigations into the cause of the technical issue are currently underway.
Public Reaction: Empathy and Mechanical Speculation
The incident quickly ignited a conversation online, with many netizens expressing sympathy for the tank operator. One Facebook user commented, “Guys, have a little heart. He’s probably a NSF (full-time national serviceman) earning minimum allowance… Let’s hope the unit or the RSM (regimental sergeant major) won’t tekan the poor kid too much…” – highlighting concerns about potential repercussions for the service member.
Others pointed to the necessity of rehearsals and dry runs for precisely these reasons. “If there is a mistake, get up and move on, learn and be mindful the next time. No big deal, don’t take it too hard on our soldiers guarding and defending on our homeland,” wrote another user.
Several commenters speculated about a mechanical failure being the root cause. A former tank technician, identifying himself as Mr. Lucas Por, noted that even basic maneuvers like pivoting can be difficult for the driver, suggesting a potential issue with the vehicle’s mechanics. Another user, Wo King Tre, suggested a “steering linage failure,” adding that such issues can occur and are often beyond the operator’s control.
Many praised the operator’s swift reaction, acknowledging that the situation could have been far more serious. As one user, Janice Lau, succinctly put it: “Tank-ful no one is hurt.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in coordinating large-scale military displays and the importance of thorough preparation and ongoing maintenance. While the collision caused a minor disruption, the swift response and the outpouring of public support underscore the strong connection between the Singaporean public and its armed forces.
