After an absence of five years, the Army Open House (AOH) has finally made a return! And what better time to bring it back than now because 2017 marks the 50th year of National Service (NS) in Singapore.
I visited the open house held at the F1 Pit Building near the Singapore Flyer over the past weekend. The crowd was insane and there was heightened security as visitors had to undergo body and bag checks before being allowed entry.
Leopard 2SG
Bionix II
Light Strike Vehicle Mark II (LSV Mark II)
Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (Terrex ICV)
Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle (Peacekeeper PRV)
AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopter
Very Slender Vessel
Leopard 2 Armoured Engineer Vehicle
Recce Jeep
Trailblazer
Leopard 2 Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge
Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carrier (Bronco ATTC)
Singapore Self Propelled Howitzer Primus
Safari Weapon Locating Radar
Digitised Trunk Communications System
Field Howitzer 2000
Next Generation Armoured Vehicle
F550 Ambulance
Battalion Casualty Station
I spent a great deal of time at the static display because I was 'hunting' for augmented reality vehicles on their mobile app game. After completing the game, I was able to redeem a collectible vehicle of my choice.
I chose a Leopard 2 SG because "Once Armour, Always Armour".
One thing that I always look forward to at the AOH is the Dynamic Defence Display segment which is a showcase of the latest army vehicles, weaponry and capabilities.
This is the closest to watching NDP 'live' since I do not have the luck in balloting for the tickets every year.
I chose a Leopard 2 SG because "Once Armour, Always Armour".
Leopard 2 SG collectible
One thing that I always look forward to at the AOH is the Dynamic Defence Display segment which is a showcase of the latest army vehicles, weaponry and capabilities.
This is the closest to watching NDP 'live' since I do not have the luck in balloting for the tickets every year.
Pardon the video quality below. It was HD on my device but somehow the quality deteriorated after uploading to youtube.
Another thing that interests me at the AOH is the fun ride (or Battle Ride) of military vehicles.
It is not everyday that you get the opportunity to climb on board a military vehicle therefore, the ride is a hot favorite among the crowd. There
are four land rides (Terrex ICV, Bronco ATTC, LSV Mark II and
Peacekeeper
PRV) and two water rides (M3G and LARC V) for your riding pleasure.
This year, registration for the ride is required by submitting your mobile number into the computer system which will send you a text to remind you when your turn is due. As I spent the morning looking for the augmented reality vehicles, I was late in registering my interest for the rides.
Around noon, I went to register for the LSV Mark II but was informed that the queue is not until 4pm! I then went for the next available ride which is the Bronco ATTC at 12.20pm. I should have registered first before playing the game!
This year, registration for the ride is required by submitting your mobile number into the computer system which will send you a text to remind you when your turn is due. As I spent the morning looking for the augmented reality vehicles, I was late in registering my interest for the rides.
Around noon, I went to register for the LSV Mark II but was informed that the queue is not until 4pm! I then went for the next available ride which is the Bronco ATTC at 12.20pm. I should have registered first before playing the game!
Bronco ATTC ride in action
The M3G ride
Army Open House 2017 @ The City might be over but fret not because it is coming to the heartlands! Details as follows.
Army Open House @ Heartland - Punggol
Venue: Open field next to Punggol MRT Station
Date: 2nd to 4th June 2017
Time: 10am to 10pm
Army Open House @ Heartland - Jurong East
Venue: Open field next to Jurong East MRT Station
Date: 9th to 11th June 2017
Time: 10am to 10pm