Latest news with #NeeSoon
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cyclist hit by bullet slug: Safety protocols followed during live firing at Nee Soon range, says Mindef
SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on June 23 that safety protocols were followed at the SAF live-firing range in Nee Soon when a cyclist was hit by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. It added that live-firing activity will resume operation with immediate effect. The next scheduled live-firing activity at the range will take place on June 26. The ministry said in its update on the case on June 23 that based on the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) investigation, all relevant training directives, safety protocols and control measures were adhered to during the live-firing activity. The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were also in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines, it added. The 42-year-old man was hit in an area gazetted for SAF live-firing around the Nee Soon 500m range while cycling with his friends in a restricted area in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), between the Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the SAF at the range, which was about 2.3 km away. In its statement on June 23, Mindef said that the range was designed and built in accordance to international range safety standards, and certified for the firing of weapons such as general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles. It added that beyond the stop butt of the range, the restricted area provides a needed safety buffer catering to scenarios such as ammunition ricochet - this was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range. 'The SAF maintains a robust safety framework to ensure the safe conduct of live-firing activities, and will continue to work with NParks to ensure safety measures and public warnings regarding restricted areas remain in place,' said Mindef. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety. Trespassing into such areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act.' The cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass. Last week, The Straits Times learnt that the cyclist and his friends may have have taken steps to conceal from the authorities the route they took on June 15. ST found on June 17 that there are prominent signs around the park warning of a live-firing area and for visitors to keep clear. However, some cyclists and hikers choose to ignore these signs, with some in the riding community mapping out unofficial and 'more elusive tracks'. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Malay Mail
23-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Singapore Armed Forces resumes Nee Soon live-firing after cyclist injured in restricted zone; trespass probe ongoing
SINGAPORE, June 23 — The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has resumed operations at its live-firing range in Nee Soon, a week after a cyclist was injured by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the 42-year-old man had entered a restricted part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs, where live-firing activity was being conducted approximately 2.3km away, according to a report published in The Straits Times today. The man was cycling with friends in the vicinity of the Nee Soon 500m range, which had been gazetted as a live-firing area. Mindef confirmed that the SAF had adhered to all relevant training directives, safety protocols, and control measures during the live-firing exercise. 'The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines,' the ministry said in a statement on June 23. It added that the range was designed and constructed according to international safety standards and certified for use with weapons including sniper rifles and general-purpose machine guns. A safety buffer beyond the range's stop butt, forming part of the restricted area, accounts for potential ammunition ricochet and was determined through trajectory simulations and trials. Mindef emphasised that the SAF upholds a robust safety framework and will continue to work with the National Parks Board (NParks) to maintain public awareness and safety in restricted zones. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety,' said the ministry. It also noted that trespassing into such areas is an offence under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The injured cyclist is currently under investigation for wilful trespass.
CNA
23-06-2025
- CNA
Safety protocols adhered to in incident involving cyclist hit by bullet near Nee Soon range: MINDEF
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Monday (Jun 23) said that investigations following an incident that involved a cyclist who suffered a gunshot wound near the Nee Soon 500m Range showed that all relevant training directives, safety protocols and control measures were adhered to during the live-firing activity. MINDEF, in a press release, said that the weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were in compliance with the SAF's (Singapore Armed Forces) stipulated guidelines. "The Nee Soon 500m Range was designed and built in accordance to international range safety standards and certified for the firing of weapons such as general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles," said MINDEF. "Targets can be placed up to a maximum distance of 500m from the firing point during such training." MINDEF also said that the Nee Soon 500m Range has been maintained and recertified regularly to be safe for operations. "Beyond the stop butt of the range, the restricted area provides a needed safety buffer catering to scenarios such as ammunition ricochet," MINDEF added. "This safety buffer was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range." Clear and visible signs warning the public to keep clear of the restricted area for live-firing were also in place at various entry points leading to the restricted area around the range. A 42-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound on Jun 15 while cycling in a restricted forested area near the range, where the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was conducting a live-firing activity. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the SAF at the range, about 2.3 km away. The police have confirmed that the cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass and that investigations are ongoing. "The SAF maintains a robust safety framework to ensure the safe conduct of live-firing activities, and will continue to work with NParks to ensure safety measures and public warnings regarding restricted areas remain in place," said MINDEF. "MINDEF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety." MINDEF also reminded members of the public that trespassing into such areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The Nee Soon 500m range will resume operation with immediate effect, it added. The next scheduled live firing activity at the range will take place on Jun 26.
CNA
17-06-2025
- CNA
Cyclist shot near SAF range: How far do Singapore military rounds travel?
SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound on Sunday (Jun 15) while cycling in a restricted forested area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, near where the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was conducting a live-firing exercise. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) confirmed that the activity was taking place at the Nee Soon 500m Range, about 2.3km from where the incident occurred. Investigations are ongoing, and the authorities have not identified the specific weapon involved. It is also unclear how a bullet could have travelled such a distance and struck someone outside the training perimeter. While the circumstances remain under review, the incident has prompted questions about the range and reach of weapons used in SAF training. Here's a look at some of the firearms commonly used by military personnel in Singapore, including their effective range, or the distance at which a weapon can reliably hit a target. SAR 21 Technical specifications Calibre: 5.56mm x 45mm Length: 805mm Barrel length: 508mm Weight: 3.98kg Rate of fire: 450-650 rounds per minute (rpm) Effective Range: 460m The SAR 21 is described by MINDEF as the quintessential assault rifle of the Singapore Armed Forces. Introduced in 1999 to replace the American M16, the Singapore-made SAR 21 is about 20 per cent shorter than its predecessor, allowing soldiers to move more easily in confined spaces. The rifle also features a built-in aiming scope with 1.5x magnification. Its low recoil gives soldiers better control over the rifle, allowing for faster recovery between successive shots. It can also be equipped with a grenade launcher. Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940E-SG Technical specifications Calibre: 5.56mm x 45mm Length: 849mm – 933mm Barrel length: 406mm Weight: 4.3kg Rate of fire: 700rpm – 1,000rpm Effective range: 600m Made by United States-headquartered Colt's Manufacturing, the Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) 6940E-SG light machine gun (LMG) is Singapore's replacement for its indigenous Ultimax 100 Section Automatic Weapon (SAW), which had been in service since 1982. Compared to its predecessor, the Colt IAR is shorter, lighter and has a longer effective range. It also has a higher fire rate, and is capable of longer, sustained firing bursts thanks to improved cooling from its heat sink. Its red dot sighting system helps with faster and more accurate target acquisition over the iron sights of the Ultimax 100. 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) Technical specifications Calibre: 7.62mm x 51mm Length: 1,255mm Barrel length: 569mm Weight: 11.4kg Rate of fire: 650rpm – 1,150rpm Effective range: 1,200m SAF's 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), known colloquially as simply GPMG, is the Singapore-licensed production of the Belgian FN MAG. Manufactured by ST Engineering, the GPMG is a fully automatic belt-fed machine gun that can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire role. The GPMG has two versions - an infantry assault variant with a bipod, and a co-axial variant for use in armoured vehicles, such as Singapore's Leopard 2SG main battle tanks. STK 50 MG Technical specifications Calibre: 12.7mm x 99mm Length: 1,670mm Barrel length: 1,141mm Weight: 30kg Rate of fire: 400rpm – 600rpm Effective range: It is difficult to find definitive data on the effective range of the STK 50 MG, as the weapon was developed in the 1980s, and detailed technical specifications have not been widely published online. However, estimates place this between 1,000m and 2,000m, depending on factors such as ammunition type, mounting platform, and firing conditions. The STK 50 MG is a locally developed, belt-fed, heavy machine gun for fire support against infantry, light armoured vehicles and low-flying targets. Formerly known as the CIS 50 MG, the STK 50 MG was developed by then Chartered Industries of Singapore (now ST Engineering Land Systems) in the late 1980s to replace the American ".50 cal" M2HB Browning machine guns. A unique feature of the STK 50 MG is its dual-feed ammunition mechanism that allows for the fast and easy switching of different types of ammo. Knight's Armament M110 Technical specifications Calibre: 7.62mm x 51mm Length: 1,190mm Barrel length: 508mm Weight: 6.27kg Rate of fire: Semi-automatic Effective range: 800m The M110 is an American sniper rifle developed by Knight's Armament Company. Used by the SAF since the early half of 2010s, it replaced older sniper rifles in Singapore's use, such as the SR-25. Equipped with an adjustable scope, the M110 can fire off multiple rounds without the need to cock the weapon between rounds. Because it can engage faster, it is used for covering troops in built-up areas. Sako TRG-22 Technical specifications Calibre: 7.62mm x 51mm Length: 1,150mm Barrel length: 660mm Weight: 6.2kg Effective range: 1,000m Rate of fire: Bolt-action As with the M110, the Finnish Sako TRG-22 was brought into service in the SAF in the early 2010s to replace older sniper rifles, such as the United Kingdom's Accuracy International AWM rifle. Compared to the M110, the TRG-22 has a longer barrel length, allowing it to hit targets farther away. However, as it is a bolt-action rifle, the gun is slower as it needs to be cocked after every round. The TRG-22 is used for field firing, which includes stalking enemy targets.
CNA
16-06-2025
- CNA
Man suffers gunshot wound while cycling in restricted area near SAF live-firing activity
A 42-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound about two kilometres away from a live-firing activity conducted by the Singapore Armed Forces yesterday. The police said the man was cycling with his friends near the Nee Soon 500m Open Range, a restricted area that the public does not have access to. He is in a stable condition at the National University Hospital. Under the Military Manoeuvres Act, the public is not allowed to enter gazetted areas meant for live-firing exercises. Investigations are ongoing and foul play is not suspected. Nee Soon Range has suspended live-firing activities as a precautionary measure. Rachel Teng reports.
