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Committee of Supply Debate 2023
24 and 27 February 2023
Last updated 27 July 2025
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How, and Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad outlined the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF's) focus areas for the coming year at MINDEF's Committee of Supply (COS) debate in Parliament on 24 and 27 February 2023.
Speech by
Building the SAF for 2040 and beyond
Defence is a long-term business. For the SAF, major systems and platforms take 10 to 15 years to conceptualise, build and integrate into our fighting force. We must remind ourselves that investing steadily in defence is a more prudent and cost-effective strategy, especially during good times and peace.
New assets and capabilities
In the next decade, more platforms and capabilities will be added as we build the SAF for 2040 and beyond. These include:
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF): Eight more F-35Bs to be acquired and added to the fleet by the end of the decade, in addition to the four already purchased.
Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN): Four Invincible-class submarines being operational around Singapore waters by the end of this decade. The RSN's first submarine, the Invincible, is expected to return to Singapore later this year after completing sea trials. The second and third submarines – the Impeccable and the Illustrious –were launched in Kiel in December 2022.
Singapore Army: Introduction of the next-generation Howitzer and Armoured Tracked Carrier, as well as more unmanned aerial and ground vehicles in combat units.
Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS): Completion of the SAF digital range in 2026; as well as set up of the Digital Ops-Tech Centre, which will be operational in 2024.
Check out this video to learn more.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
The purchase of the RSAF's first four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters allowed access to information and facilities for a full evaluation of the F-35s, together with an option to purchase more. Our RSAF pilots have flown in F-35 mission simulators, learnt from operational F-35 instructors pilots, and flown with other F-35 operators on numerous occasions – in particular, during Exercise Pitch Black last year in Darwin, Australia.
MINDEF and the SAF have concluded that the F-35 is the best choice to meet our defence needs now and in the future. We will exercise the option to acquire a second tranche of eight F-35Bs to be added to our fleet by the end of the decade. The acquisition will support the progressive drawdown of our ageing F-16s, which are due to retire from the mid-2030s onwards.
Digital and intelligence capabilities
The SAF digital range will contain virtual replicas of networks and systems, to simulate a wider range of cyber-attacks. When completed in 2026, it will be used to train DIS forces, conduct exercises with other military and commercial partners, as well as organise joint training with other national agencies to strengthen cyber defences of our national critical infrastructure.
The DIS will set up the Digital Ops-Tech Centre run by software engineers and data scientists to provide in-house software development for the SAF. This Centre will be operational in 2024.
Enhancing training to maintain the SAF's edge
To ensure our people in the SAF are equipped to defend Singapore and her interests successfully, we have invested heavily in our training infrastructure.
SAFTI City
The completed SAFTI City will include battlefield effects simulators that can replicate smoke and blast effects, and interactive targets that can fire back.
SAFTI City Phase 1: Phase 1 will be completed next year, and will consist of 60 new training buildings, with a mix of high-rise interconnected buildings, low-rise residences, bus interchanges, and an underground MRT station. Buildings and roads can be re-configured such that soldiers encounter a different layout each time they train at SAFTI City.
Instrumented Battle Circuits (iBACs): There will be three new iBACs surrounding SAFTI City. The first circuit – the Murai Urban Battle Circuit – will be ready by this year, and the other two by early 2024. These circuits will simulate enemy fires such as artillery bombardment and air strikes to test operational instincts and tactical fundamentals. When the iBACs begin operation, up to 22,000 active and NS soldiers will use them every year as part of their training.
Overseas training facilities and simulators
We have also invested in overseas training facilities, such as the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Australia, where combined arms and high-calibre live firing can be done. Some new facilities like the Urban Operations Live Firing Facility and the Combined Arms Air-Land Range will be ready from 2024.
The SAF will also increase the use of advanced training simulators across all Services. It is envisioned that an additional 20% of live training will be replaced by simulation training. These simulators will also be integrated to allow combined virtual exercises, opening up new possibilities for training.
Check out the video below to learn more.
Strengthening multilateral cooperation
Aside from building a capable armed forces that can serve as deterrence and defend us against threats, MINDEF works hard on defence diplomacy and cooperation - both bilateral and multilateral - to build defence ties and address common security challenges.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE) promotes research and information sharing among partner nations on emgerging cybersecurity and informational threats. The Centre has started sharing products with all partner nations. The formal launch of the ACICE’s physical centre is expected in the third quarter of this year.
The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) 2022, which resumed physically after a two-year hiatus, was well-attended by 37 ministerial-level delegates, including from both the US and China. It remains the premier defence and security conference in Asia that provides a venue to affirm mutually beneficial principles and allow dialogue, if not build trust. We look forward to commemorating the 20th SLD this year, where Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has agreed to give the keynote address.
The ACICE's inaugural Advisory Board meeting held virtually in 2022.
Ministerial Roundtable hosted by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen in conjunction with the 19 th SLD in 2022.
Strengthening the NS system
NS is the cornerstone of our national security, and it is critical that we continually maintain and strengthen the NS system. Here's an update on new initiatives, recommendations from the National Service Review Committee (NSRC), and training safety:
Maximising contributions of our servicemen
Since the introduction of functional assessments at pre-enlistment medical screenings, 75 of 100 pre-enlistees with certain orthopaedic conditions have been found fit to be deployed to a wider range of operational roles than before.
Since 2021, the SAF has leveraged technology and redesigned 1,300 jobs in vocations such as Medics, Infantry Carrier Vehicle Operators and Transport Operators, opening them up to more servicemen. We are on track to redesign another 500 jobs by mid-2023.
Two months ago, a new Work-Learn Scheme was introduced for NSFs to pursue Diplomas in Engineering (Mechanical Technology) and be deployed as Naval Warfare System Specialists. Thus far, over 450 NSFs have enrolled in the various Work-Learn Schemes. By 2025, we expect 500 NSFs to be enrolled in Work-Learn Schemes every year.
The SAF has stepped up efforts to identify and redeploy NSmen to make better use of their civilian skills. Over the past year, we have redeployed 200 NSmen under the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme to domains such as digital and intelligence, logistics, and engineering.
Improving the NS experience
Exit controls for NSmen will be relaxed. From April 2023 onwards, NSmen will only need to apply for an Exit Permit when they leave Singapore for 12 months or more, up from the current 6 months or more.
Since September 2022, 92% of Make-Up Pay claims have been processed automatically, and 90% have been paid within 10 days from the start of In-Camp Training (ICT). This automated system is estimated to save more than 260,000 man-hours of processing effort each year, and allows payments to be made more quickly.
A base NS pay of $1,600 per month, pro-rated according to the duration of NSmen’s ICT or operationally-ready NS (ORNS) activities, has been introduced.
Cash and voucher-based NS recognition benefits were replaced with digital credits disbursed through the LifeSG mobile app enabling national servicemen to receive, carry, and redeem their credits via their mobile devices. As part of the NS55 Recognition Package, $100 worth of credits were distributed electronically via the LifeSG mobile app in July 2022 to more than 1 million national servicemen past and present. The digital redemption service achieved faster utilisation rate of the NS55 credits as compared to physical vouchers.
The first phase of the OneNS platform has been rolled out to selected ICT units, allowing NSmen to register their attendance at ICT easily using the app’s geo-location function. OneNS will be extended to more units in the coming months.
Recognising and providing support for National Servicemen
In addition to the NS55 Recognition Package, the series of commemorative initiatives in the year-long NS55 campaign was well-received. Overall, the campaign achieved its objectives with the NS55 theme song "Back in the Day" accumulating over 6 million views online. Post-campaign surveys found that 80% of our national servicemen felt valued for their contributions to NS, and 90% of the general public felt that NS was a source of pride for Singapore.
The new SAFRA clubhouse in Choa Chu Kang will open in May this year. In addition, the National Service Resort and Country Club will be building a social and recreation hub that will come with chalets, sports facilities and other family-centric amenities.
To strengthen financial protection for SAF and Home Team servicemen and volunteers, MINDEF and MHA doubled the coverage of the Group Term Life and Group Personal Accident insurance, from $150,000 to $300,000. The Group Personal Accident insurance is now called Group Personal Injury insurance, to reflect the extension of coverage to conditions such as long-term hearing damage and decompression sickness.
Emphasising safety
The SAF will continue to invest resources and harness technology to strengthen its safety culture. An enterprise Safety Information System has been developed and fully adopted in the SAF, allowing quick spreading of safety lessons and easy submission of near misses and incidents by personnel across all ranks. It also enhances commanders’ awareness and decision-making to prevent accidents.
Since the start of their three-year term in 2021, the 3rd External Review Panel on SAF Safety visited key training schools in the SAF and overseas training, and noted that the SAF has comprehensive systems to ensure the safety and health of our soldiers.
The SAF Inspector-General's Office has recently completed its second audit cycle across all SAF formations, and found that the SAF's safety management systems remain robust despite the ramp-up of training over the past year following pandemic-related disruptions.
Strengthening resilience through Total Defence
Over the past two years, MINDEF and the SAF have been engaging different groups of Singaporeans to strengthen Total Defence. Our key priorities are to: (1) help Singaporeans become more aware about the threats and challenges for our society and understand how they can contribute to tackling these challenges; and (2) give Singaporeans more opportunities to propose Total Defence initiatives and partner the government in implementing them.
Co-creating Total Defence initiatives with Singaporeans
The Total Defence Sandbox was launched last year to crowdsource proposals from youths to put Total Defence into action. We received 77 proposals from the first round of submissions, and have selected some to implement this year. For instance:
The Total Defence Murder Mystery Role Play Game helps players learn about our multi-faceted threat environment.
A table-top simulation on Total Defence was implemented as a full-fledged Community Exercise, involving over 120 participants as part of the 2023 Total Defence Day Commemoration Event. Conducted over two days in Chua Chu Kang Community Club, members of the local community came together to draw up plans to prepare for and respond to disruptions of essential supplies.
Sentinel Programme
The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) launched the Sentinel Programme last year to equip youths with digital and cybersecurity skills to empower them to act in Singapore’s Digital Defence.
Participating students were offered hands-on workshops, engagement sessions and competitions. They were also exposed to foundational skills such as basic programming, cryptography, and network forensics.
The pilot programme received strong student interest, and the DIS is working with agencies such as the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) to offer the programme to students from all secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and ITEs in the coming years.
Students from Ngee Ann Secondary School participating in the Sentinel Programme.
The programme was carefully crafted to expose students to foundational skills such as basic programming, cryptography, and network forensics.
In 2022, ACCORD actively rallied the community to show appreciation for our NSmen through the We Support NS Campaign, which garnered discounts and benefits for NSmen at 275 retailers that operate a total of 2,500 outlets across Singapore.
ACCORD also co-organised NS engagement sessions for over 11,000 students from post-secondary education institutions in the last year, with most attendees agreeing that the sessions helped them better prepare for NS.
Earlier this month, ACCORD partnered the SAF to host another edition of the Women's Boot Camp to give women a glimpse of what our NSmen go through.
Organising our defence museums to tell the Singapore story
To bring our Singapore defence story to life and better preserve our heritage, we have set up the Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) to oversee all our defence and military museums. We have also been refreshing our museums to ensure that the exhibition content is up-to-date, and that the visitor experience is interactive and educational.
The Singapore Discovery Centre recently completed a refresh, with new multi-sensory and digitally-enhanced exhibits on Singapore’s past, present and future.
The Navy Museum is undergoing a complete makeover of its galleries, and will reopen to the public mid-2023. Real equipment from the Challenger-class submarines will be on display for the first time.
The NS Gallery at Marina Bay is being built within the new NS Square complex, and remains on track to open by 2027.
We will also progressively refresh the Army and Air Force Museums in the coming years.