NDP 2025 will follow the concept of “three concentric rings”, with the integrated show at the Padang in the centre, expanding out to live celebrations in the Marina Bay area as well as festivities in the heartlands, said BG Cai.
The parade will feature a mobile column, aerial displays and fireworks. More than 250,000 people are expected to be able to take part in NDP 2025 celebrations during the previews and on National Day itself.
The mobile column is traditionally done in milestone years, and focuses on displaying the full range of SAF and Home Team capabilities in a grand, formal procession, said BG Cai.
“Selected slices” of the marching contingent and mobile column at NDP 2025 will move around the Marina Bay area to engage more Singaporeans, he added.
Crowd favourites like the Red Lions and aerial displays will continue to be a part of both years’ parades.
Last year, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that he would like the parade to be held at the National Stadium in Singapore Sports Hub in 2024.
Asked why this was not the case, BG Low said his team thought the Padang would be better at providing an immersive experience and hosting the dynamic defence display for NDP 2024.
Separately, he added that his team will also pay attention to engaging stakeholders in the area to minimise disruption caused by preparations for the parade, such as rehearsals.
NDP venues are typically announced one year in advance. As the next two parades are being held at the Padang, announcing the venue for NDP 2025 two years in advance allows his team to understudy the NDP 2024 organisers, said BG Cai.
Talking about the venue early also gives his team an opportunity to be “as inclusive and as consultative as possible”, he said.
“We want to be able to cast as wide a net as possible to engage whether it’s the public sector, the private sector, civil society or even Singaporeans across the board, and try to take in their views, their suggestions, their feedback about what they would like to see, how they would like to commemorate 60 years of nationhood.”