Singapore's Naval Diving Unit marks its 50th anniversary, restructures formation to strengthen response to threats

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) elite fight diving unit has restructured its formation to strengthen its response to more and more advanced and unconventional threats, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) stated on Thursday (Dec 9).
 
The restructured Naval Diving Unit (NDU), which includes six models, will likely be chargeable for creating capabilities in areas similar to underwater safety, underwater explosive ordnance disposal and maritime counter-terrorism operations.
 
Key expertise similar to end-to-end ship boarding capabilities will even be centralised underneath the NDU to assist particular operations within the maritime area.
 
The restructuring of the NDU comes because the unit marked its 50th anniversary with a parade at Sembawang Camp on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen stated expertise and experience are important to broaden the unit’s repertoire and expertise, as with the remainder of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), 
 
He highlighted the NDU’s use of distant working autos to search and find underwater explosive threats, in addition to a brand new fleet of combatant craft that's geared up with superior remote-controlled weapons techniques and communication gear. 
 
“As the range of security challenges expand to include Grey Zone threats, NDU has done well to adapt by deploying non-lethal weapon systems such as TASERs, batons, and pepper spray to minimise collateral damage,” he added.
 
In his speech, Dr Ng counseled the professionalism of the NDU and thanked servicemen for his or her contributions.
 
“The Special Forces, or NDU equivalents in militaries around the world, form an elite group, often tasked to accomplish difficult missions which can even change the course of history,” he stated.“Special Forces troops undertake these missions knowing and accepting the high risks, and understanding that they bear a heavy responsibility to succeed, even as they are prepared to lay their lives down for their country.”
 
“Appropriately, these Special Forces are likened to the tip of the spear, a sharp and hardened tip that can penetrate deep into the enemy,” he added.