A strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) safeguards Singapore's security, independence, and sovereignty. Without security and stability, we cannot achieve economic or social progress.

However, the security landscape Singapore faces today is more complex. Asia's military spending has already surpassed Europe's since 2012. Many countries in our region are modernising their militaries against a backdrop of rising nationalism, unresolved maritime and territorial disputes, and persistent threats from terrorists and cyber-attacks. Intensifying US-China competition, uncertainties in the Korean Peninsula, greater contestation in the waters and airspace around Singapore, and the continuing threat of terrorism can potentially disrupt the peace and stability of our region. These are the known threats, but just as potent are unexpected events that can change the status quo.

A Strong Flexible SAF to Deal with More Security Challenges

The wider array of security challenges has placed more demands on the SAF, even as our manpower pool shrinks. Defence spending will also have to take into account a mature economy with slower projected growth in the future and other needs from an ageing society and infrastructure spending. We can approach these challenges with confidence as steady investments in defence over the years have built a strong SAF that is able to deal with a broad spectrum of threats. More importantly, Singaporeans are united in their resolve and support to maintain a strong military and Total Defence.

We recognise that new threat scenarios have evolved. Less advanced militaries and even non-state actors can now acquire sophisticated technologies and weaponry that used to be the domain of professional militaries. Through both physical and virtual threats in the cyberspace, attackers have more avenues to disrupt and destabilise Singapore.

In response, the SAF will develop new fighting concepts and leverage technological advancements to increase our effectiveness and ensure more efficient use of manpower. For example, the Aerostat surveillance systems, Littoral Mission Vessels, and the Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicles, supported by an advanced and secure communications network, have enabled the SAF to be a tightly connected and flexible military force capable of deterring the spectrum of potential aggressors. 

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF are dealing directly with the regional terrorist threat, which is at an all-time high. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and ISIS-inspired groups in our region are building up military-level capabilities and firepower, augmented by the return of battle-experienced fighters from the Middle East to our region. The siege of Marawi in 2017 was a key example, which required the joint effort of the Philippines armed forces and its homeland security forces to dislodge militants from the city. The SAF will work closely with the Home Team to ensure an effective and coordinated response to any terrorist threat. Exercises such as NORTHSTAR and HIGHCREST will be stepped up in scale and complexity to build interoperability. More SAF and Singapore Police Force servicemen will undergo joint security operations training at the SAF's Island Defence Training Institute. We are also working with other countries under a “Resilience, Response, Recovery” framework to strengthen our responses to prevent, deal with, and recover from terrorist attacks in the region.

MINDEF will strengthen our cyber defence through the newly established Defence Cyber Organisation and SAF Cyber Defence Group. As with kinetic defences, the SAF will train and use qualified Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) and also grow its partnerships with local Institutes of Higher Learning to build a strong and capable cyber defence force.

Positioning National Service (NS) for the Future

In 2017, Singapore celebrated the 50th anniversary of NS and showed its overwhelming support for this vital strategic institution that ensures our survival. MINDEF and the SAF will not take this support for granted. Instead, we will redouble our efforts to optimise the experience, contributions, and potential of our national servicemen. By making use of technology, the SAF has reduced the physical demands of selected NS vocations, such as Security Troopers, allowing more servicemen to be deployed to vocations that they were previously ineligible for. MINDEF will also continue to take into consideration the interests of NSFs when assigning their vocations. This approach has allowed for more effective and meaningful deployment of our servicemen, and encourages them to take greater ownership of their NS roles and responsibilities.

Strengthening our Network of Defence Partners Globally 

Singapore will continue to work closely with our neighbours and regional partners to enhance regional stability and address common security challenges. As the Chairman of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus¹ in 2018, we aim to: (a) enhance regional counter-terrorism cooperation; (b) improve the region's capability to respond to chemical, biological, and radiological threats from terrorist groups and rogue actors; and (c) develop practical confidence-building measures and codes for unplanned encounters in the aviation and maritime domains to reduce the risk of miscalculation, and de-escalate tensions in the region. 

As a small city-state, it is vital to shape an open and inclusive regional security architecture where the interests of all countries are protected. Platforms such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Groups, as well as the Five Power Defence Arrangements all help to promote multilateralism and inclusiveness. The SAF also contributes to international efforts to deal with trans-national threats.

Bilaterally, MINDEF has deepened relations with defence partners through initiatives such as a new naval exercise with the US Navy and a new Naval Bilateral Agreement with India. Cooperation with Australia is progressing steadily as we commence construction of facilities to support more SAF troops to train in Queensland in 2019. We will strengthen our ties with China, and deepen military-to-military ties between the SAF and the People's Liberation Army. The SAF will also seek out more opportunities to train with the armed forces of Malaysia and Indonesia, to build stronger trust and people-to-people ties.

Strengthening Total Defence

Ultimately, Singaporeans are responsible for our own defence. Our strongest weapon against external forces is our unity and resolve to protect our way of life and keep Singapore independent and sovereign. No amount of tanks, planes, or ships – no matter how sophisticated the systems we build – can make up for a divided nation. In this new era, where hybrid warfare can be waged first through cyberspace before any physical means, potential aggressors will seek to turn one Singaporean against the other to weaken our social compact. More than ever, Total Defence is needed and every Singaporean has to play his or her part to safeguard Singapore. Only together, can we continue to keep Singapore safe and secure for another generation.

¹ The ADMM was inaugurated in 2006. It is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. The ADMM-Plus was inaugurated in 2010, and includes the ten ASEAN Member States and eight Plus countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

DR NG ENG HEN
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE