Oral Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Operational Readiness of the SAF Amidst COVID-19

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) how has the COVID-19 crisis affected SAF operations and training in 2020 so far, (b) how has the SAF coped with the challenges to ensure that the operational readiness of SAF and the quality of all SAF training have remained uncompromised.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

Despite the COVID-19 crisis being dubbed the test of this generation, our other security threats are in no way diminished. Let me elaborate.

SAF operations that are deemed critical such as island defence, protection of key installations, maritime security, air defence and counter-terrorism, continue around the clock even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They never stopped, whether during the "circuit breaker" period, before that, or even now. They will not stop. Similarly, training schools that are essential to sustain our operational units have also continued, namely the Officer Cadet School and Specialist Cadet School and essential In-Camp Training (ICT). To be able to achieve that, to be able to continue to be Readiness Condition (REDCON) 1, for these critical missions, the key aspect is manning. And you have to plan for manning, in the face of the risk of infection. To minimise the risk of infection for these critical units, the SAF implemented strict health and safety measures. They include cohorting, safe distancing measures, reduction in training group size and testing regimes. But in order to make sure the SAF maintains REDCON 1 across the span of duties, some personnel performing critical operations have to isolate themselves in camps and bases for a period of time. They had to make sure that they were ready and free from infection, before they started their duties. And the only way they could do that was to stay in camp for two weeks away from their families as a cohort, before they start their duties and during their operational duties.

For other SAF training, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 corresponded to restrictions and other measures placed on the general public for safety and health reasons. For example, during the "circuit-breaker" period, Basic Military Training (BMT) and large-scale overseas exercises were suspended, and some In-Camp Trainings (ICT) deferred.

Mr Tan asked how the SAF has coped. I think the SAF has coped well with the challenges brought about by COVID-19. In addition to maintaining its core functions and military training, the SAF strongly supported our nation's fight against COVID-19. More than 6,000 MINDEF/SAF personnel were mobilised and deployed across a wide range of national taskforces and operations. These range from leading contact tracing operations, caring for migrant workers in dormitories, converting and managing SAF camps as community recovery facilities, and providing medical care to recovering patients.

With the easing up of restrictions on the public, the SAF has progressively resumed more training and exercises, while continuing to take health and safety precautions. More ICTs have been conducted and some overseas training have resumed. For example, the Navy has just safely completed a 67-day deployment for the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), a multinational naval exercise. It was the SAF's first overseas exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The RSN had to ensure, one, that they could pick up infections while they were out at sea. And two, that they could care for infected servicemen and servicewomen while at sea. Because they would be out there and may need an intensive care unit (ICU). It was an interesting exercise and an interesting challenge. They brought a COVID-19 test kit onboard, and they converted their ship with ICU capabilities. I was quite proud of them, for being able to do that. Thankfully, they did not have to use the ICU. None of them got infected and they successfully completed the exercise. The RSAF pilots continue to hone their skills with regular local flying as well as overseas training and exercises. Later this month, the Air Force will be deploying about 200 personnel and 10 aircraft to train in Darwin, Australia for about two months. Our men and women are there now doing their two weeks of isolation before they start training.

In tandem with the increase in training activities, the SAF has also added measures to enhance the detection of COVID-19 infections to mitigate its spread. From October, some ICT units will have their NSmen undergo swab tests if proximity to other individuals cannot be avoided during training. This is an added measure, on top of the other measures I talked about. For these swab tests, DSO is assisting the SAF to use other methods which are more suited for mass testing. For example, oropharyngeal mid-turbinate swabs (OP-MT) or saliva testing. Initial results of our trials on both these different applications have been promising with regard to the acceptability and accuracy of these newer methods.

While the SAF contributes to Singapore's fight against COVID-19, it will not be distracted from its core functions. The SAF recognises that Singapore's security challenges do not diminish during this COVID-19 pandemic – in fact our assumption is that would be aggressors can take advantage of the situation to do us harm. The SAF will therefore continue to be vigilant, maintain its level of operational readiness through realistic training and full-manning of critical units.