SINGAPORE – Visitors to the revamped Singapore Air Force Museum can now experience the thrill of scrambling in a fighter jet to intercept an unidentified aircraft, as part of a major refresh aimed at bringing the air force’s story to life.
The museum, located beside Paya Lebar Air Base, reopened on June 16 after being closed for renovation since November.
New features include immersive technology and augmented reality experiences, as well as an expanded collection of artefacts tracing the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) development over the decades.
The Defence Collective Singapore (DCS), which manages the museum, said in a statement that the reopening marks a “renewed commitment to education and engagement, with programmes and tours tailored for students, families and aviation enthusiasts”.
Speaking at the reopening, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said the museum showcases the full arc of the RSAF’s journey – from its beginnings with borrowed aircraft to the advanced force it is today.
He noted that the RSAF’s role extends beyond defending Singapore’s skies, pointing to its contributions to humanitarian and disaster relief missions.
The renovated museum also brings to life the wide-ranging RSAF vocations through a uniform showcase and interviews with personnel over the years, which he said is “especially valuable for students, inspiring them to explore opportunities to serve”.
“Our nation’s security depends on all of us understanding what is at stake and playing our part in a meaningful way. This museum plays a vital role in fostering that understanding.”
The renovation of the museum, which opened in Changi in 1988 and moved to Paya Lebar in 2001, is its first revamp since 2015.
One of the new centrepieces is an immersive theatre featuring a five-minute film titled Homeward, which simulates the RSAF’s response to an unidentified aircraft entering Singapore airspace.
Visitors experience the scenario from the perspective of a fighter pilot pursuing the aircraft through the skies, with vibrating seats and flashing lights adding to the realism.
Hairani Joshi, director of curatorial and collections at the DCS, told ST that developing the film was an arduous process that involved speaking to various personnel to hear what their work entailed.
Read Full Article At Source
