By building the site below ground, the island-state freed up about 300 hectares (750 acres) of land -- or the equivalent to 400 football fields -- above ground, the ministry said.

The facility needs 20 percent less manpower to operate than a conventional one because of automation and technology, and will need less energy for cooling due to the natural insulation provided by granite caverns, it said.

Singapore has the most modern armed forces in Southeast Asia and relies heavily on technology to beef up military strength.

The government is also building an underground petroleum storage facility to free up land for other purposes.

                                                      Home