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The aim of our defence policy is to ensure that Singapore enjoys peace and stability, and that Singapore's sovereignty and territorial integrity are protected.
We also want to do our part to contribute to regional peace and security. Diplomacy and deterrence form the twin pillars of our defence policy. We develop and maintain good relations with other countries through diplomacy. These diplomatic efforts are wide-ranging and span many fields, not just in defence. At the same time, we try to deter threats from emerging by contributing to regional resilience and through our concept of Total Defence.
Our defence policy has served us well. In the 21st Century, diplomacy and deterrence will continue to be the fundamental tenets of our defence policy. But we will have to define our security in wider terms to include not only traditional security challenges but also new ones that may arise to threaten our interests in the globalised era.
The SAF will have to develop a broader range of capabilities and prepare itself to work with others to tackle some of these challenges. This means that the SAF will have to enhance its efforts in diplomacy and deterrence.
Our two key thrusts in the coming years will be to:
(1) Strengthen dialogue,confidence-building and co-operation in the region and beyond.
Increasingly, countries in the region recognise the value of efforts to promote confidence-building, co-operation and dialogue on issues of common security concern. Through the years, the SAF has developed extensive and expanding links with armed forces in the region and beyond. The SAF can help promote greater understanding and trust among regional and extra-regional armed forces by leveraging on these links to help strengthen bilateral and multilateral defence co-operation and dialogue, and participating in confidence-building efforts.
(2) Strengthen Total Defence.
In the new security environment, Singapore could face a diverse range of new and unconventional threats. To tackle these challenges, we will need to strengthen all five components of Total Defence. The SAF will maintain its conventional capabilities to ensure that the military component of Total Defence remains strong. At the same time, it will work more closely with other government agencies to develop an effective defence against new security challenges, especially the non-traditional threats that may arise.
Singapore has been able to overcome past challenges because Singaporeans are not afraid to adapt and change. Likewise, we must also adapt our defence policy to the changes in the security environment. This will ensure that it continues to be relevant in the 21st Century and that our future will be protected.
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Last updated on 07 Mar 2008
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