Infantry (Singapore Army)

The Singapore Infantry Regiment is the main formation of the Singapore Army. It consists of six regular battalions and a number of National Service (NS) battalions.

The 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment was formed in 1957 against the backdrop of self-government for Singapore. Recruitment began on 4 Mar 1957 with only Singapore citizens and persons born and bred in Singapore were recruited. Out of a total of 1,420 applicants, 237 were initially accepted for training. It was intended that 1 SIR together with another battalion would form part of a Regiment within a Brigade Group in the Singapore Military Forces.

Self-government for Singapore in 1959 gave 1 SIR the opportunity to mount the Istana Guards in place of the Gurkhas, while the battalion was presented with Queen's and Regimental Colours in 1961. The following year, the 2nd Battalion was raised.

For two years between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was part of Malaysia, and the regiment was renamed the Malaysian Infantry Regiment. On Singapore's independence in 1965, the regiment regained its former name. In 1967 two more battalions, the 3rd and 4th, were raised as part of the move towards National Service in Singapore. 1 SIR and 2 SIR were also converted to NS battalions. Four further battalions were raised over the next few years, although 7 SIR and 8 SIR were eventually re-roled to become the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Singapore Guards.

Today, there are six regular battalions, each of which is assigned to an infantry brigade in one of the army's three Infantry Divisions. This is alongside two per brigade of the NS battalions.