Asia’s First Underground Ammunition Facility

Sembcorp Specialised Construction (SSC)'s Landmark Engineering Project

SSC served as the principal contractor to Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for the design and construction of Asia’s first large-scale Underground Ammunition Facility (UAF)—a landmark engineering feat built within a densely populated urban environment. This revolutionary development redefined the standards of military infrastructure in Singapore and stands as the world’s most modern underground ammunition facility.

The UAF is also the first large-scale containerised underground ammunition storage facility to be constructed within a fully urbanised area. Spanning over a decade in development, this complex and sensitive project significantly enhanced the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) by serving as a centralised hub for ammunition storage and supply.

Notably, the project led to the formulation of new safety standards for underground ammunition storage—specifically in ground shock protection—developed by DSTA and later adopted by NATO, marking a significant global contribution.

Beyond defence readiness, the UAF broke new ground in land optimisation, achieving land savings of over 300 hectares—equivalent to half of Pasir Ris New Town—by utilising deep rock caverns, a pioneering approach in land-scarce Singapore.

To deliver this project, SSC employed advanced rock excavation technologies, ensuring geological stability during extensive tunnelling works. Despite the challenges of working in highly confined, subterranean conditions, SSC implemented innovative engineering solutions to address ventilation, lighting, and safety with precision and care.

Close collaboration with DSTA, Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), and various government agencies was instrumental to the project’s success. The UAF remains a powerful testament to SSC’s capability in delivering secure, resilient, and future-ready defence infrastructure through technical excellence and trusted partnerships.