The Public Warning System (PWS) will sound at 3pm on Feb. 1, 2026, to commemorate Total Defence (TD) Day this year, instead of the usual Feb. 15.
The change is both to reflect the unpredictability of crises and to mark the commencement of Exercise SG Ready 2026, this year’s TD exercise.
“Events around the world have shown us that a disruption is possible even here in Singapore, and this year’s scenario is based on [an] attack on our power systems, resulting in disruptions to digital services as well as internet connectivity. So we really call on all Singaporeans, be it at home, in the community, and in workplaces, to join us in this effort to make Singapore more crisis-ready,” said Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) Deputy Secretary (Policy) Brigadier-General Frederick Choo.
He added that the one-off shift in dates was also to allow Singaporeans more time to rally and activate various parts of our society to participate in this exercise.
The annual readiness exercise will run for two weeks from Feb. 1 until TD Day on Feb. 15.
This year’s theme, “Are you ready for disruptions?”, will focus on readiness for degraded digital connectivity and prolonged power outages.
It is set against a backdrop of an energy security crisis triggered by geopolitical uncertainties, with digital connectivity disrupted by the prolonged outage. Fake news, online phishing attempts and public attacks from unknown foreign actors also add to the simulation, driving the idea that crippled IT operations can lead to a divided and vulnerable society.
Highlights
Exercise SG Ready 2026 will include three noticeable highlights:
Feb. 1 signal
The first will be the sounding of the “Important Message” signal for a minute at 3pm on Feb. 1, instead of on TD Day on Feb. 15.
It is a one-time change, and will revert to sounding on Feb. 15 in following years.
The signal will also sound for 20 seconds on all smartphones downloaded with the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) myResponder app and SGSecure app if prior permission was given.
Following the signal, the 2026 TD message by Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam will broadcasted on all local radio stations and free-to-air TV channels.
Broadcast alert message on ERP2.0 OBU
A broadcast alert message pop-up will also appear on ERP2.0 On-Board Units (OBU) in conjunction with the 3pm PWS siren, under a pilot test.
Intermittent broadcasts will start at 2:45pm, announcing that the PWS signal has been sounded as part of Exercise SG Ready 2026 and encourage members of the public to tune in to any local radio station and listen to the TD message.
Simulated e-service disruptions
To simulate e-service disruptions in times of crises, several organisations will put non-emergency apps on maintenance mode for one hour at 3pm on Feb. 1.
Participating applications include BudgetMealsGoWhere, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants App and Website, OneNS app, SAFRA app, Singapore Institute of Directors Website, and Workpal.
They will also carry a link to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) “What to Do in a Digital Connectivity Disruption” guide.
Other activities
Over the two weeks, there will also be multiple partner-led and public readiness exercises.
Partner-led activities include a TD table-top exercise organised by a group of large companies on Feb. 2, phishing exercises for business jointly organised by Mindef and Singapore Business Federation (SBF), and TD commemoration activities in primary and secondary MOE schools and Institutes of Higher Learning.
The public can also take part in SAFRA’s TD activities from Jan. 31 to Feb. 15 and the Singapore Red Cross Society’s Psychological First Aid courses.
Top images by Nurshahiylia Sidin/Mothership
