This National Day, Singaporeans can look forward to a spectacular and diverse aerial sequence by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). This year marks SG60, and the diamond jubilee celebrations will extend from the heart of the show at the Padang to the heartlands, over a two-day period from 9 to 10 August 2025.
The RSAF will field a total of 26 aircraft: six F-15SG, four F-16s, one A330 MRTT, one G550 AEW, two Fokker 50s, two C-130s, one S-70B, four AH-64Ds, three CH-47s, two H225Ms. There will be three main aerial components:
Flypast in the Heartlands – Fly Our Flag (9 August)
National Day Parade Air Participation at Padang and Marina Bay
Flypast in the Heartlands – Fighter Island Flypast (10 August)
Flypast in the Heartlands – Fly our Flag (9 August)
Conceptualised in 2020 to bring NDP celebrations closer to residents in view of the pandemic, the Fly Our Flag segment has been well-received and has since become a mainstay of National Day heartland festivities.
On 9 August 2025, the Fly Our Flag flypast will once again take place from 5.30pm to 6.20pm. Two CH-47 Heavy Lift Helicopters, each escorted by two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters, will carry the State Flag via two concurrent routes—Eastern and Western.
Key estates covered by the Eastern Route include Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok and East Coast, while the Western Route will fly over Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong and West Coast.
Fly Our Flag Infographic (Credit: NDP 2025 Organising Committee) 01. File photo of the first Fly Our Flag occasion during NDP 2020, flying the Eastern Route over Katong.
NDP Air Participation at Padang and Marina Bay (Every Saturday leading up to and on 9 August)
*Note: All timings are approximate and based on rehearsal observations; they are subject to change.
For the first time, the Pre-Parade segment of NDP will feature a Jump of Unity at 5.50pm. Look up high in the skies as the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Naval Divers and the Singapore Armed Forces Red Lions leap from the H225M Medium Lift Helicopter into Marina Bay and the C-130 Hercules aircraft into the Padang, respectively.
Next up, in the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment, the traditional State Flag Flypast (check our previous year features, in 2017, and in 2019) will take place at 6.35pm, followed with an Enhanced Salute to the Nation at 6.37pm.
The Enhanced Salute to the Nation features six F-15SG fighters in delta formation, which will then execute a bomb burst manoeuvre with afterburners. Moments later, four F-16 fighters will fly over the Padang in a diamond formation to signify Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee, symbolising Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee and saluting the nation after the National Anthem.
As the sun sets during the Aerial Display and Mobile Column segment, the RSAF will synchronise flypasts in tandem with the parade of assets on ground at Padang and on sea in Marina Bay, under themes of “”Defending our Nation”, “Our Strength in Action” and humanitarian assistance and peace support.
First, at 6.50pm, six F-15SGs will approach from the south in delta formation, a nod to SG60. The two outer wingmen in “solo” positions break away into afterburner climbs at show centre, symbolising continued peace and prosperity for the nation. The remaining four F-15SGs will continue to fly over the Padang in a diamond formation. This is followed closely by four F-16s also in diamond formation, which then executes a diamond cross turn.
At 7.04pm, the exhilarating Multi-Axis Flypast will be performed, with two sets of three F-15SGs approaching Padang from opposite directions, intersecting each other before soaring into afterburner climbs.
Following shortly at 7.05pm, a Jet Formation Flypast (flight experience covered below) consisting of one A330 MRTT, four F-16s and one G550-AEW will ingress from the west.
Next, at 7.07pm, a Helicopter Formation Flypast (flight experience covered below) consisting of one S-70B Seahawk, two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters, two H225M Medium Lift Helicopters and one CH-47 Heavy Lift Helicopter will ingress from the south in an arrowhead formation.
Concluding the high-tempo aerial sequence at 7.11pm, a Transport Formation Flypast consisting of two C-130 Hercules aircraft and two Fokker-50 transport aircraft will ingress from the east.
02. 5.50pm – RSN Naval Divers egress from the H225M for the Jump of Unity in the Pre-Parade segment of NDP.03. Naval Divers enthusiastically greeting the crowd during their parade across Marina Bay after their landing.04. Following shortly after the Naval Divers are the Red Lions, leaping from the C-130.05. Red Lions making their approach into the Padang.06. 6.35pm – The iconic State Flag Flypast approaches Padang show centre, seen here over the Supertree Observatory at Gardens by the Bay.07. 6.37pm – Six F-15SGs perform a bomb burst for the Enhanced Salute to the Nation.08. This is followed immediately by a four-ship F-16 diamond formation, signifying Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee.09. 6.50pm – Six F-15SGs once again approach show centre in delta formation, with the two outer wingmen pulling up in afterburner climbs. Captured here is a portion of the formation as they thunder into show centre.10. At the same time as the F-15SGs, four F-16s in delta formation execute a diamond cross.11. 7.04pm – Blink and you might miss the Multi-Axis Flypast, as two sets of three F-15SGs perform an unconventional opposing pass before climbing into full afterburners.12. 7.05pm – The Jet Formation Flypast, making a comeback after a decade, features one A330 MRTT, four F-16s, and one G550 AEW. In SG50, the same formation was executed using a KC-135, four F-5s, and one G550 AEW.13. 7.07pm – The Helicopter Formation Flypast, featuring all major RSAF in-service helicopter types, flies into the sunset, seen from the SkyPark Observation Deck.14. 7.11pm – RSAF’s aerial participation concludes with the Transport Formation Flypast, featuring aircraft used in HADR and peace support operations.
RSAF Flypast in the Heartlands – Fighter Island Flypast (10 August)
On 10 August, RSAF will sustain the celebratory momentum by bringing National Day celebrations even closer to residents. Coinciding with Mobile Column appearances at five heartland sites—and a Red Lions jump at the Central District near Bishan Junction 8—four F-16s will conduct the Fighter Island Flypast between 6.00pm and 6.30pm.
The Fighter Island Flypast will be visible from all five heartland sites and across various locations island-wide, spanning the South West, North West, North East, South East, and Central districts. Each loop will be flown twice to maximise visibility and engagement with residents, as the F-16s fly in a diamond formation.
Fighter Island Flypast Infographic (Credit: NDP 2025 Organising Committee)
Flying with the RSAF – MRTT and Chinook Experience
During recent NDP rehearsals, the MAphotoSG team was onboard key elements of the RSAF aerial flypasts—namely the A330 MRTT and the CH-47 Chinook. We bring you exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the dedicated airmen and women that make the show a reality—while enjoying some of the most breath-taking views of our island from the skies.
15. A330 MRTT from 112 Squadron parked on the apron of Changi Air Base East, ready for the Jet Formation flight experience.16. Flying over the ever-busy Eastern Anchorages of Singapore after take-off.17. A beautiful view of Changi Airport—“the world’s best”—while in an alternate hold over eastern Singapore due to adverse weather in the west.18. Two F-16Cs join up on the port wing of the MRTT over Changi.19. Flying over Serangoon.20. Another two F-16Cs join up on the starboard wing, flown by 143 Squadron pilots.21. Maintaining close formation over southern Singapore.22. A top-side view of the F-16s flying over calm waters.23. F-16 pictured with a cargo vessel traversing the Singapore Strait.24. An F-16 breaks off from formation after a successful run-in, while flying over Kembangan.25. Twilight views from the port wing as the MRTT awaits landing clearance.26. Flying low-level over the oil refineries on Pulau Bukom.27. The city illuminated by show lights from NDP.28. A CH-47SD parked on the apron of Sembawang Air Base, ready for the Helicopter Formation flight experience.29. Sembawang Air Base bustles with activity on a Saturday during NDP rehearsals, with CH-47s playing multiple roles—from flying the State Flag to participating in the formation flypast.30. Command Chief, 126 Squadron. The squadron transitioned from the AS532ULs to the CH-47SD/Fs in 2023.31. A crew swap from a CH-47F. Throughout the day, Chinooks ferry personnel and equipment to and from Pulau Sudong, the primary site for state flag rigging.32. Pilot of the CH-47F.33. A CH-47F taxis out for rigging practice for the third state flag to be unfurled at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB).34. 126 Squadron takes the honour as the participating Chinook squadron for NDP 2025.35. Aircrew Specialists (ACS) secure the triple hook system beneath the CH-47F, enabling the state flag to be carried as an underslung load.36. With three sites—PLAB, SBAB, and Sudong—15 flags available, and at least three required to be airborne, the traditional State Flag Flypast is guaranteed to happen, rain or shine.37. The S-70B taxis to Runway 23.38. Two H225Ms form up on the runway to complete the flight of six for the Helicopter Formation Flypast.39. Onboard the CH-47SD for the Helicopter Formation, awaiting taxi clearance as the adjacent CH-47F crew prepares another hook-up run for the state flag.40. ACSs act as extra eyes for pilots, providing critical guidance to cover blind spots during manoeuvres.41. After take-off from Sembawang, with Bukit Timah Hill Transmission Tower in the background.42. Clementi estate bathed in the glow of the late afternoon sun.43. Views of Pandan Crescent’s industrial area in the foreground, and the PSA Pasir Panjang Container Port in the background.44. Automobiles being unloaded from a vehicle carrier at Pasir Panjang Port.45. State flag commencing its run into show centre, with a dense cluster of vessels anchored off the straits.46. Two AH-64Ds form the front part of the Helicopter Formation, flanking both sides in positions #2 and #3.47. An upgraded AH-64D, seen with a SATCOM dome mounted on its wing.48. H225M pictured with RSS Dauntless, conducting MARSEC patrols along the Singapore Strait.49. Two H225Ms and a CH-47 form the rear of the arrowhead Helicopter Formation, with one helicopter on each side.50. Flying over St John’s and Kusu Islands during a southern holding pattern.51. Viewing the H225M through the CH-47’s porthole windows.52. Phones and cameras at the ready as the S-70B and AH-64D drop behind the CH-47 for a photo-op over the Singapore skyline.54. AH-64D pictured over the bustling beaches of Sentosa on a weekend.53. S-70B flying over the Singapore Strait at sunset.55. Commencing the push into show centre as the final rays of sunlight shine over Marina Bay.56. The Singapore River and Havelock area seen beneath the formation.57. Contrasting visuals of the lush greenery of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and the housing estates of Bukit Panjang.58. ACSs work tirelessly throughout the flight, keeping constant watch on formation spacing for the flight crew.59. Approaching the downwind pattern for Sembawang Air Base Runway 22, with the Woodlands district in the foreground and Johor, Malaysia, visible across the Causeway.60. Mission accomplished for aircrew and photographers.
Bonus – Video Summary of the MRTT and Chinook Flight Experience
