SINGAPORE - This year's National Day Parade, which will be staged at National Stadium in the Sports Hub, will cost $39.4 million, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

The cost is double previous Aug 9 shows that were held at the Marina Bay Floating Platform, which cost between $15.7 million and $17.9 million. Previous shows at the Padang like the 2010 show cost $20.6 million while last year's NDP to celebrate Singapore's 50th year of independence cost $40.5 million.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 29), Dr Ng said that half of the total cost is typically set aside for the show segment. But the venue cost of using the National Stadium this time round has more than tripled from 4 per cent in previous years to 15 per cent this year.

This is similar to other national events held at private venues, said Dr Ng, replying to MP Sylvia Lim(Aljunied GRC), who asked about the cost of staging NDP this year.

Dr Ng also said the bigger venue at the 55,000-seater stadium will, however, allow some 275,000 Singaporeans to watch the show at the actual parade as well as three National Education shows and a preview. This is more than twice the number of spectators in previous years.

This year's NDP will be the first to be held at the venue in Kallang with a dome-shaped roof, 10 years after the last parade was staged in the old National Stadium before it was torn down.

Dr Ng said that the new venue will allow organisers to stage a "different type of show", utilising the larger confined space and central pitch as a large stage.

The new venue also "calls for a different format", said Dr Ng, who announced that several 'NDP crowd favourites will not be part of this year's show.

The Red Lions, will not be free-falling and parachuting down the National Stadium because of safety reasons, he said. Also absent will be the mobile column that showcases the convoy of military vehicles and the aerial displays.