Singapore's Presidential Gun Salute Moves to Kallang Basin for First Time

Singapore's Presidential Gun Salute, a military ceremony held exclusively for the President, relocated to Kallang Basin for the first time as part of National Day Parade 2026 preparations. On July 18, a rehearsal proceeded without interruption despite heavy rain, with 19 shots fired in perfect succession by gun crews from the 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery, and 35th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers. Approximately 300 to 400 members of the public gathered at the waterfront to witness the ceremony, which took place about 200 metres from the National Stadium where the main parade will be held on August 9.

The decision to conduct the salute at Kallang Basin was designed to bring the National Day experience closer to Singaporeans who cannot attend the parade at the stadium. The relocated ceremony allows spectators to see, hear, and feel the impact of the 25-pounder Howitzer gun firings directly from the waterfront. Major Chin Wei Jian, commanding officer of 23rd Battalion Singapore Artillery and chairman of the NDP 2026 Presidential Gun Salute Committee, stated that the basin location is considerably nearer than previous Marina Bay firing sites.

The operation involved more than 150 military personnel who began training in January. Planning included close coordination with the Public Utilities Board to manage shared water usage with other activities such as dragon boat training and water sports. The Defence Science and Technology Agency conducted sound mapping studies, and guns were positioned at least 150 metres from nearby infrastructure and public viewing areas. Caution boards were placed along the waterfront, and earplugs were offered to spectators. Crew members worked extended hours during rehearsals, arriving as early as 4 a.m. and remaining on-site for nearly 20 hours to ensure flawless execution.

On August 9, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be accorded a 21-gun salute as part of Singapore's 61st year of independence celebrations. The relocated ceremony represents a logistical milestone, requiring coordination with multiple stakeholders and the integration of amphibious vehicles to establish a floating platform on the basin. Organising secretary Captain L. Vaishnavi emphasised the extensive preparation required, describing the challenge of coordinating with all stakeholders while maintaining safety and operational efficiency.