PUBLISHED ONNovember 04, 2026 12:41 PMBYSean LerThe Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues its operations regardless of haze conditions to ensure the country's defence and security, said Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Nov 4).
He was responding to a parliamentary question filed by Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC), who had asked what training limits apply for servicemen when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is in the unhealthy range (PSI 101 to 200).
The first-term MP noted that runs and marches were limited to five kilometres and eight kilometres respectively in 1997.
He also asked if servicemen with pre-existing lung or heart conditions will be exempted from all outdoor physical activities, and for the SAF's haze guidelines to be published.
In his reply, Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, reiterated that the health and well-being of all SAF servicemen and women are of utmost importance to the SAF.
"We ensure this even while we continue training and conducting operations to ensure Singapore’s defence and security," he emphasised.
However, with due regard to health and safety, the SAF has to continue with all its operations regardless of haze conditions as these are critical to the defence of Singapore, the defence minister highlighted.
He said that SAF personnel are issued with protective equipment, such as N95 masks, when they conduct their operational duties.
Turning to training, Chan said that the national guidelines and medical advice are taken into account, with prolonged or strenuous outdoor training moderated in unhealthy or very unhealthy conditions.
And should PSI enter the hazardous range, all non-essential outdoor activities will be cancelled.
"We ensure this even while we continue training and conducting operations to ensure Singapore’s defence and security," the defence minister said.
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