Singapore Airshow 2026 – SAFTI City, ST Engineering Showcases the Future of Urban Military Training in Singapore

click on image to enlarge

One day before the Singapore Airshow 2026 opened its doors, ST Engineering hosted an exclusive live demonstration at SAFTI City, the urban training complex recently developed for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The event offered international media a first-hand look at how Singapore’s defence industry is applying advanced technologies to prepare soldiers for the full spectrum of modern operations, from peacekeeping to high-intensity urban combat

Commissioned for training in October 2024, SAFTI City (Phase 1) marks a major evolution in the SAF’s training doctrine. The facility replaces earlier low-rise “urban village” complexes dating from the 1990s, and provides a denser, more realistic and technology-enabled environment designed to reflect today’s complex urban settings.

Spanning 17 hectares with a gross floor area of 105,000 m2, the site can accommodate up to two battalion-level exercises, approximately 1,200 soldiers simultaneously for mission exercises and evaluations, or can be split in up to six company sectors, in that case hosting around 600 soldiers.

click on image to enlarge

The cityscape features an integrated transport hub complete with both above ground and underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations as well as decommissioned trains, bus interchanges, commercial areas and office towers, alongside residential blocks, community centres, schools, and hotels. The diverse urban layout replicates the range of conditions troops may face in real operations, including damaged or collapsed buildings and a network of underground drains that enable covert movement and flanking manoeuvres.

Mass Rapid Transit (As the programme’s key technology partner, ST Engineering contributed a comprehensive suite of training, sensor and simulation technologies integrated throughout SAFTI City.

click on image to enlarge

Over 11,000 sensors, supplied by ST Engineering training and simulation division, track the positions and activities of troops in real time. These are paired with the Tactical Engagement System (TES), a laser-based system that enables safe, realistic force-on-force engagements. Soldiers wear sensor-equipped vests that communicate with building and vehicle-mounted detectors, accurately recording hits and movements during missions.

Training realism is further enhanced by the Battlefield Effects Simulator (BES) developed by ST Engineering’s Land Systems, which reproduces combat acoustics, smoke, flash effects and explosions, without the use of pyrotechnics, to deliver sensory immersion while maintaining operational safety.

click on image to enlarge

Troops also engage mobile and static smart targets, both 2D and 3D variants, capable of moving at up to 10 km/h and simulating human thermal signatures for night operations training.

To support after-action report, all performance data are aggregated through an analytics and gamification platform that provides commanders with detailed dashboards for mission review, individual scoring, and team performance metrics. This data-driven methodology enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of every training cycle.

The live demonstration, held in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow 2026, underlined the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and ST Engineering’s shared commitment to leverage technology for next-generation military readiness.

Observers witnessed coordinated infantry and support-unit exercises in mixed environments, from underground MRT tunnels to rooftop engagements, featuring interactive, sensor-driven targets replicating real-world urban threats.

click on image to enlarge

Programme officials emphasised that SAFTI City is conceived as an integrated and modular training ecosystem, designed to evolve with future upgrades in sensors, analytics, and virtual simulation systems. The complex is also equipped to host inter-agency training involving police, civil defence, and disaster response units, reinforcing Singapore’s whole-of-nation security approach.

For ST Engineering, SAFTI City represents a flagship showcase of Singapore’s defence technology and digital training ecosystem. It demonstrates how integrated sensors, data analytics, and configurable infrastructure can transform the way modern militaries prepare for multi-domain urban operations.

In a global landscape in which armed forces must increasingly train for hybrid warfare and dense urban environments, Singapore stands out as a pioneer in realistic, technology-led military preparation. SAFTI City is not merely a training ground, it is a living testbed for the future of operational readiness.

Photos by J. Roukoz