The Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition is an annual competition which confers awards of recognition to the most outstanding units of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence. Besides encouraging the above, the award also seeks to promote esprit-de-corps and camaraderie among participating Army, Air Force and Navy units through friendly competition.SAF Honours its Best Units
The assessment factors of the competition are:
Combat Proficiency Test Marksmanship Test Individual Physical Proficiency Test Standard Obstacle Course Unarmed Combat Security Manpower Matters Logistics Readiness Inspection Vehicle State Training Safety
The competition was started for active SAF units in 1969, before being extended to the reservist units (now known as NS units) in 1993. These units are conferred their awards at the annual Singapore Armed Forces Day parade.
The types of units that participate include: Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR) Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE) Ordnance Supply Base (OSB), the Kranji baseAn example of past Ordnance Supply Base
Past active unit winners
Active Army units The 1st Commando Battalion has won the Best Combat Unit for an unprecedented 39 times since the award was launched in 1969, and for 22 consecutive years since 2004.
Year Best Army UnitsCombat Combat Support Infantry/Guards Armour Artillery Engineers Signals/C4I Combat Service SupportKnown as "Best Logistics Unit" before 2006.1969 1 SIR Not contested Not contested Not contested Not contested Not contested Not contested Not contested19701971 3 SIR1972 4 SIR 1973 2 SIR 1 SIB1974 1 CDO BN1975 30 SCE19761977 36 SCE 1 SIR 41 SAR 24 SA 36 SCE1978 41 SAR 1 SIG 4 SIR 35 SCE 1979 42 SAR SAFPU 6 SIR 42 SAR 160 BN 38 SCE 2 SIG BN1980 7 SIR 7 SIR 41 SAR 1 SIG BN1981 3 GDS 2 SIG 3 GDS 46 SAR 22 SA 2 SIG1982 42 SAR SAFPU 42 SAR 23 SA 1983 3 GDS 2 SIG 46 SAR 25 SA 35 SCE 1984 41 SAR 40 SAR 40 SAR 22 SA 1 SIG1985 1 CDO BN 1 CDO BN 41 SAR1986 5 SIR 5 SIR 40 SAR 23 SA 36 SCE 1987 1 CDO BN SAFPU 6 SIR 24 SA - OSB1988 20 SA 5 SIR 20 SA 35 SCE1989 2 SIR 41 SAR 36 SCE1990 24 SA 5 SIR 24 SA 1991 3 GDS 3 GDS 46 SAR 35 SCE GSMB1992 1 CDO BN 22 SA 1 GDS 42 SAR 22 SA 36 SCE1993 23 SA 5 SIR 23 SA1994 20 SA 40 SAR 20 SA 3 SIG 1 TPT BN1995 22 SA 3 GDS 42 SAR 22 SA 1 SIG1996 36 SCE 1 GDS 23 SA1997 3 SIR 3 SIR 40 SAR 21 SA 2 SIG 9 DSMB1998 1 SIR 1 SIR 1 SIG1999 1 CDO BN 21 SA 2 SIG 1 TPT BN2000 20 SA 3 GDS 20 SA 3 DSMB2001 2 SIG 24 SA 35 SCE 9 DSMB2002 40 SAR 20 SA 1 SIR 20 SA 3 TPT BN2003 1 GDS 3 SIG 1 GDS 46 SAR 24 SA 3 SIG GSMB2004 1 CDO BN 3 TPT 3 SIR 3 TPT2005 23 SA 1 SIR 41 SAR 23 SA2006 3 SIG 5 SIR 46 SAR 36 SCE GSMB2007 2 SIR 40 SAR 24 SA 2008 24 SA 3 GDS 40 SAR 30 SCE 2 SIG 3 TPT BN2009 39 SCE 3 SIR 42 SAR 23 SA 39 SCE 3 SIG2010 3 GDS 21 SA 1 SIG2011 24 SA 3 SIR 48 SAR 24 SA2012 11 C4I 35 SCE 6 AMB2013 1 SIG 4 SIR 40 SAR 1 SIG2014 38 SCE2015 38 SCE 1 GDS 48 SAR2016 3 GDS 40 SAR 2017 1 GDS 48 SAR 6 AMB2018 3 GDS 11 C4I2019 3 SIR 41 SAR 17 C4I2020 1 GDS 40 SAR 11 C4I2021 35 SCE 3 SIR 41 SAR 35 SCE 16 C4I2022 39 SCE 1 SIR 21 SA 39 SCE 10 C4I2023 38 SCE 1 GDS 23 SA 38 SCE 16 C4I2024 30 SCE 2 SIR 42 SAR 24 SA 30 SCE 10 C4I2025 17 C4I 1 GDS 40 SAR 35 SCE 17 C4I 3 AMB2026 35 SCE 3 GDS 10 C4I 6 AMBYear Combat Combat Support Infantry/Guards Armour Artillery Engineers Signals/C4I Combat Service Support
Retired award Year Best Army UnitsMinor (1974–1976)1974 OMB1975 SAFPU1976 36 SCE
Active Navy units
Two new awards in maritime security and in naval engineering and logistics were introduced in 2015.
YearBest Navy UnitsFleetKnown as "Best Ship" before 2015.Maritime SecurityNaval Engineering & Logistics1981RSS Independence (Fast patrol craft)Not contestedNot contested1982RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1983RSS Justice (Fast patrol craft)1984RSS Dauntless (Fast patrol craft)1985RSS Persistence (County-class LST)1986RSS Swift Archer (Coastal patrol craft)1987RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1988RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1989RSS Sea Wolf (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1990RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1991RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1992RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette)1993RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette)1994RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1995RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)19961997RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1998RSS Sea Lion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat)1999RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)20002001RSS Vigour (Victory-class corvette)20022003RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette)2004RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette)2005RSS Resolution (Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank)2006RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette)20072008RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate)2009RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette)2010RSS Stalwart (Formidable-class frigate)2011RSS Chieftain (Challenger-class submarine)2012RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette)2013RSS Intrepid (Formidable-class frigate)2014RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate)2015RSS TenaciousRSS ResilienceSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)2016RSS VigourRSS BedokSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Networks and Sensors)2017RSS SteadfastRSS ResilienceShip Superintending Engineering Centre 2018RSS Stalwart RSS DaringSystems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)2019RSS Formidable RSS Independence2020RSS Vigour Ship Superintendent Engineering Centre2021RSS Conqueror RSS Fortitude Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons)2022RSS Tenacious RSS Fearless2023RSS Valiant RSS Dauntless2024RSS Tenacious RSS Indomitable2025RSS Supreme Base Facilities and Services Centre2026RSS Formidable RSS Punggol Ship Superintending Engineering Centre YearFleetMaritime SecurityNaval Engineering & Logistics
Active Air Force units The Best Helicopter Squadron award was introduced in 2010 to recognise the contributions of the RSAF helicopter squadrons. In 2014, two new awards in Control and Air Engineering were introduced. A new award in air logistics was introduced in 2015. 140 SQN currently holds the record for clinching the Best fighter Squadron 12 times.
YearBest Air Force UnitsFighter SquadronHelicopter SquadronGround Based Air DefenceKnown as "Best Air Defence Artillery" before 2010.Air Combat SupportKnown as "Best Tactical Support Squadron" before 2010.Control SquadronAir EngineeringAir Base OperabilityKnown as "Best Air Logistics Unit" before 2021.1985145 SQN (A-4S Skyhawk)Not contested165 SADANot contestedNot contestedNot contestedNot contested1986140 SQN (Hawker Hunter)1987149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II)1988160 SADA1989143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)120 SQN (UH-1H)1990165 SADA122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)1991140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SADA111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye)1992165 SADA120 SQN (UH-1H)1993160 SADA125 SQN (Super Puma)1994126 SQN (Cougar)1995144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)160 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)1996140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)3 DA BN1997145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)165 SQN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)1998122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)1999140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon)160 SQN125 SQN (Super Puma)2000145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)163 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)2001142 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye)2002149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)3 DA BN121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)2003140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)18 DA BN2004149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)160 SQN120 SQN (UH-1H)2005144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)122 SQN (C-130 Hercules)2006140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker)20073 DA BN127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook)2008149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)2009144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker)2010140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook)121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL)2011149 SQN120 SQN165 SQN2012145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)126 SQN163 SQN111 SQN2013149 SQN (F-15SG Strike Eagle)116 SQN2014145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk)125 SQN122 SQN203 SQN807 SQN2015144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II)126 SQN112 SQN206 SQNAir Force Supply Centre2016140 SQN127 SQN6 DA BN121 SQN208 SQN707 SQN2017143 SQN125 SQN165 SQN205 SQN811 SQNAir Force Supply Centre 2018149 SQN112 SQN207 SQN817 SQN706 SQN2019142 SQN3 DA BN119 SQN206 SQN811 SQN707 SQN2020143 SQN163 SQN122 SQN816 SQN706 SQN2021120 SQN3 DA BN112 SQN20226 DA BN119 SQN811 SQN608 SQN20233 DA BN111 SQN201 SQN816 SQN707 SQN2024142 SQN163 SQN205 SQN817 SQN2025165 SQN122 SQN206 SQN811 SQN505 SQN2026145 SQN126 SQN163 SQN122 SQN206 SQNYearFighter SquadronHelicopter SquadronGround Based Air DefenceAir Combat SupportControl SquadronAir EngineeringAir Base OperabilityKnown as "Best Air Logistics Unit" before 2021.
Past National Service unit winners
Army NS units YearBest Army NS UnitsInfantry / GuardsArmourArtilleryCombat engineersSignals/C4ICombat Service SupportCombat Support199467 GDS / 88 GDS / 187 SIR422 SAR211 SA307 SCE6 SIG BNNot contested1995514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS / 91 GDS432 SAR204 SA8 SIG BN1996184 SIR / 188 SIR / 504 SIR / 514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS423 SAR265 SA6 SIG BN6 DS MED BN199783 SIR / 188 SIR / 525 SIR / 541 SIR / 70 GDS / 550 GDS204 SA321 SCE1998184 SIR / 514 SIR / 525 SIR / 542 SIR / 531 GDS / 549 GDS416 SAR308 SCE1999185 SIR / 187 SIR / 523 SIR / 573 SIR / 531 GDS / 548 GDS425 SAR211 SA322 SCE200085 SIR / 187 SIR / 524 SIR / 573 SIR / 595 SIR / 548 GDS466 SAR323 SCE2001516 SIR / 542 SIR / 557 SIR / 602 SIR / 86 GDS / 90 GDS274 SA326 SCE2002652 SIR / 621 SIR / 596 SIR / 550 GDS / 86 GDS / 524 SIR254 SA324 SCE2003652 SIR / 652 SIR / 595 SIR / 550 GDS / 90 GDS / 548 GDS271 SA327 SCE9 SIG BN2004652 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 543 SIR / 566 SIR / 583 GDS424 SAR278 SA328 SCE6 SIG BN2005588 SIR / 596 SIR / 657 SIR / 682 SIR / 550 GDS466 SAR275 SA324 SCE9 DS MED BN2006626 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 581 SIR / 609 SIR442 SAR278 SA6 DS MED BN2007652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 609 SIR / 566 SIR466 SAR256 SA328 SCE2008652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 634 GDS / 663 SIR442 SAR280 SA327 SCE2009652 SIR / 622 SIR / 696 SIR / 685 GDS / 628 SIR282 SA329 SCE2010588 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 685 GDS / 663 SIR280 SA9 SIG BN2011688 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 724 GDS / 693 SIR453 SAR282 SA2012778 SIR / 700 SIR / 803 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS 452 SAR 6 SIG BN2013688 SIR / 755 SIR / 720 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS 430 SAR 287 SA 321 SCE 2014688 SIR / 755 SIR / 787 SIR / 734 GDS / 611 SIR 483 SAR 289 SA 324 SCE 2015688 SIR / 700 SIR / 787 SIR / 740 GDS / 611 SIR485 SAR321 SCE9 SIG BN8 CSH2016754 SIR / 772 SIR / 787 SIR / 735 GDS / 611 SIR288 SA324 SCE3 CSH2017733 SIR / 769 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 812 SIR474 SAR289 SA327 SCE2 CSH2018746 SIR / 772 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 612 SIR473 SAR288 SA324 SCE63 CSS BN2019746 SIR / 769 SIR / 790 SIR / 745 GDS / 792 SIR474 SAR267 SA327 SCE2020786 SIR / 797 SIR / 790 SIR / 737 GDS / 792 SIR228 SA351 SCE2021746 SIR / 783 SIR / 793 SIR / 737 GDS / 716 SIR484 SAR295 SANot contested38 CSS BN351 SCE2022786 SIR / 783 SIR / 791 SIR / 758 GDS / 716 SIR474 SAR9 SIG BN / 167 C4I61 CSS BNNot contested2023776 SIR / 783 SIR / 791 SIR / 758 GDS / 909 SIR489 SAR6 SIG BN / 167 C4I33 CSS BN2024776 SIR / 794 SIR / 763 SIR / 757 GDS / 909 SIR244 SA391 SCE9 SIG BN / 167 C4I2 CSS BN2025773 SIR / 794 SIR / 780 SIR / 756 GDS / 909 SIR267 SA9 SIG BN / 114 C4I3 CSHYearInfantry / GuardsArmourArtilleryCombat engineersSignals/C4ICombat Service SupportCombat Support
Retired award YearBest Army NS UnitsPeople's Defence Force Command199473 SIR / 184 SIR199563 SIR / 504 SIR
Naval NS units
A new Best Naval NS Unit award was introduced from 2015.
YearBest Naval NS Units2015RSS Vigilance (Victory-class missile corvette)2016RSS Vengeance Team 1201720182019RSS Vengeance202020212022RSS Vigilance202320243rd Flotilla - Support Group 120253rd Flotilla Support Group
Controversies
In 2003, the 1st Commando Battalion was barred from the competition after it was found guilty of doctoring score-keeping records and fitness test results.