Father and Son Gear Up to Lead Mobile Column for NDP 2025

Pair's participation in line with segment on generational commitment to defence

- Zhaki Abdullah

The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan.

He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre – as the commander of the mobile column.

The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets.

For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies.

NDP 2025 will also see LTC Chan, who is chief of staff for the SAF's 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan.

The pair will be leading the mobile column in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank.

"It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son," said LTC Chan, 48, whose day job involves him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital.

Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was "super excited" to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as to have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close.