 In 1965 , racial , political , and personal tensions led to Singapore seceding from Malaysia and becoming an independent country . With the end of the confrontation , the last V bombers were withdrawn in 1966 . The following year , the British government announced its intention to withdraw its forces from East of Suez . The Singapore Naval Base was handed over to the government of Singapore on 8 December 1968 , and Sembawang Shipyard subsequently became the basis of a successful ship repair industry . The Red Beards were returned to the UK via the US in 1971 . 
