Thank you employers as well as yourselves for being here today. Of course, thank you to the organisers, the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, and to Temasek Polytechnic and these principle people around for giving us these very nice premises. We gather this year together to commemorate and rededicate ourselves during SAF Day, but in a more uncertain World than ever before, since the last World War.

The peace dividends from the end of the devastating global event like the World War and the end of the Cold War have all but dried up. In its place, Europe stands divided, with hopes of integration with Russia dashed. As the war in Ukraine wages on, the whole World will feel its impact, whether in the sharp rise of prices and other staples or fuel and energy. Political uncertainty in many countries can result, if their people go hungry or dissatisfied or if their countries are mired in debt. For Asia, the relationship between US and China is at its worst in decades. Clear lines have been drawn in the sand by both sides, along with a commitment to fight to defend those positions. Right now, it is warnings or rhetorical barbs, but there is always that danger in an unhealthy relationship that physical blows may come about, whether by accident or intentionally.

Singapore, at the crossroads of Asia, a maritime and air hub, with thousands of multinational companies, many of which you worked in, headquartered here, is the canary in the mine of the global economy. We are acutely vulnerable to events even far away, and cannot escape being impacted. The World at large is at a dangerous point of history, and the SAF must be prepared for all eventualities to ensure that Singapore's defence and deterrence remain strong.

In these uncertain times, Singaporeans look to the SAF to provide that stability and protection, and the SAF will give succour. I am confident that every man or woman in the SAF will do his or her utmost to assure their family, members of the public that the SAF can be depended on to defend Singapore and her interests. We have trained hard for many years to become a modern and capable military. Whether for the Army, Navy, Air Force and soon the Digital and Intelligence Service, capabilities have been systematically built up so that we can stand ready and be able to defend all of Singapore's borders – on air, land, sea and in cyberspace.

I call on every soldier in the SAF to be vigilant, to train realistically and undertake our duties with utmost diligence. Take your role to defend Singapore seriously, and would-be aggressors will be deterred.

As we mark 55 years of National Service this year, we take pride that NSmen are the backbone of national defence – ordinary citizens each performing an extraordinary role to defend those they love and our way of life in our home.

This SAF Day, as we re-dedicate ourselves, we remind ourselves that in times of adversity, the SAF must shine through and remain steadfast. The SAF gives strength to our people and our country.

Majulah Singapura, and Happy SAF Day.