Exercise SG Ready 2026 Kicks Off with Islandwide Simulations to Strengthen Digital and Power Resilience

The third edition of Singapore’s national-level Total Defence (TD) exercise, Exercise SG Ready (ESR), was officially launched today at the Total Defence Commemoration Event (TDCE) at Our Tampines Hub. More than 1,000 organisations will participate in a series of simulated activities over the next two weeks to test their readiness for disruptions. 

At the TDCE, Minister for Digital Development and Information (MDDI), Mrs Josephine Teo, and Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, joined community leaders and representatives from participating organisations to witness the start of the two-week exercise. In her speech, Minister Josephine Teo said: “Staying prepared is not something we do alone, it is a shared responsibility. From businesses reviewing their continuity plans to individuals equipping themselves with psychological first-aid skills, and communities looking out for one another and standing ready to respond. Together with our SAF and our Home Team safeguarding Singapore against external threats, everyone has a part to play in Total Defence to make Singapore safer and more resilient.” Minister Teo also unveiled the pilot launch of the National Simulated Scams Exercise (NSSE), a joint initiative by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Ministry of Home Affairs developed in support of ESR 2026. This exercise will strengthen the Government's ongoing public education initiatives aimed at combating scams.

As part of the ESR 2026 launch, the Public Warning System (PWS) "Important Message" signal was broadcast across the island at 3pm.¹ The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducted a pilot testing of Broadcast Alert Messages via ERP 2.0 On-Board Units (OBU), with motorists receiving intermittent broadcast alerts on their OBUs from 2:45pm. The broadcast alert announced the sounding of the PWS “Important Message” signal as part of ESR 2026 and encouraged them to tune in to local radio stations to listen to the TD message.  

Following the signal, the TD message read by Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr K Shanmugam, was broadcast across all local radio stations and free-to-air TV channels. In his message, Minister Shanmugam reminded Singaporeans that our critical infrastructure came under cyberattack last year by a highly sophisticated actor with the ability to disrupt essential services. Foreign parties had also tried to divide the community and undermine trust in the government. He called on all Singaporeans to play their part in Total Defence by participating in the exercise to prepare for disruptions caused by evolving threats. 

A pilot Community Mobilisation activity was conducted at two HDB blocks in Tampines following the launch of ESR 2026. During the exercise scenario of a prolonged power outage and degraded digital connectivity, TD Champions (TDC)² were activated and mobilised to work alongside PA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)³ volunteers to reach out to those in need. Together, they approached households to relay key information and educated residents on what to do in the event of disruptions to digital connectivity and prolonged power outages, and identified those who required assistance. This activity tested the volunteer mobilisation processes during prolonged disruptions, ensured residents received essential information, and fostered a sense of shared responsibility within the community. 

Members of the public may find out more about the exercise by accessing the ESR website (https://go.gov.sg/exercisesgready). The public can also key in a postal code, street or building name to get information on the location, timing, and type of activity taking place.  

About Total Defence Day 

Total Defence Day is commemorated on 15 February each year – the same day that Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942 during World War II. It serves as a reminder to Singaporeans of our collective responsibility to defend our nation and strengthen our resolve to keep Singapore safe and sovereign. Set against the backdrop of historical lessons and contemporary security challenges, Total Defence Day encourages all Singaporeans to reflect on their role in keeping Singapore strong and resilient. In 2026, the Total Defence Commemoration Event was held on 1 February to mark the launch of Exercise SG Ready 2026, which runs from 1 February to 15 February. 

About Exercise SG Ready 2026 

Held from 1 February to 15 February, ESR 2026 is co-led by MINDEF and our key partners: the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Energy Market Authority (EMA), the People’s Association (PA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Set against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and hybrid threats, the exercise aims to encourage everyone to Plan for disruptions, Prepare to respond, and Play your part  to keep Singapore strong. Organisations, schools and units from educational, community, businesses and government sectors will carry out different disruption or preparedness activities across the two-week exercise period to strengthen their business continuity plans for degraded digital connectivity and prolonged power outages. ESR encourages individuals, communities and businesses to reflect on the question: "Are you ready for disruptions?” and put Total Defence into action through contingency plans. More information on the exercise can be found on the Exercise SG Ready website (https://go.gov.sg/exercisesgready). 

About Nexus 

Nexus is responsible for Total Defence and National Education, and seeks to strengthen Singaporeans’ resolve to defend Singapore, protect our unity and safeguard our way of life. Nexus initiates, supports and organises programmes in collaboration with partners in the Public, People and Private sectors to engage Singaporeans in creative and meaningful ways, to strengthen bonds among Singaporeans and their commitment to Singapore. More information at https://www.mindef.gov.sg/about-us/community-engagement/nexus/. 

[1] This is a a one-off departure from the annual sounding of the PWS siren on TD Day.

[2] The TDCs is a new volunteer initiative currently being developed by Nexus, MINDEF, to enhance community readiness for disruptions. TDCs augment community response efforts by working closely with Nexus, government agencies, and other on-ground volunteer groups.

[3] PA CERT is formed by grassroots leaders and residents who live in the vicinity, trained to respond to emergencies and assist in the community recovery process. PA CERT helps to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of the local community.