Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How at the Launch of the Revamped Navy Museum on 17 Jun 2023

Permanent Secretary (Defence),

Chief of Navy,

Chief Executive, Defence Collective Singapore,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies & Gentlemen

INTRODUCTION

Good afternoon. I thank the Navy and the Defence Collective Singapore for this opportunity to join you at this launch of the new Navy Museum.

SINGAPORE'S MARITIME HISTORY

Singapore's maritime history is long, rich and closely intertwined with its economic, social and cultural development since its founding. As ships from diverse regions called at and traded through Singapore, our city became a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions.

Singapore remains one of the world's leading maritime hubs. The Port of Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the busiest and most efficient ports globally.

THE RSN AND SINGAPORE

The success of modern Singapore as a maritime hub and sovereign maritime nation owes much to the vital role and effectiveness of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965, the need to build a credible defence force from scratch became an imperative, and this included building a capable navy. As of the 5 May 1967, the white-and-red Singapore Navy Ensign was hoisted for the first time in Telok Ayer Basin, marking the birth of the Singapore Navy. For a start, our Navy had only 2 wooden boats, the RSS Panglima and RSS Bedok.

In its early years, the RSN expanded to operate a small fleet of patrol craft, minesweepers, and amphibious landing ships. With careful stewardship, mission-focus and consistent investment over the succeeding decades, the RSN today is a well-respected, effective naval force with a comprehensive suite of capabilities.

MUSEUM HISTORY

The Singapore Navy Museum, originally sited in Sembawang, was relocated to Changi Naval Base in 2012. The museum had served as a repository of the Navy's history and heritage, helping visitors to better understand its development with gripping stories and carefully curated artefacts.

Then in 2021, the museum commenced a major revamp, and we are very happy to gather here today to launch this new and improved Singapore Navy Museum. With 3,500 sqm of exhibition space, this new Singapore Navy Museum records and explains that arduous journey to make the RSN the "Maritime Force for a Maritime Nation".

This museum stands as a heartfelt and fitting tribute to the invaluable contributions of generations of men and women of the Singapore Navy. It also marks our continued commitment to modernising our naval capabilities to ensure mission success, come what may.

Visitors to this new Museum will be able to explore the Navy's history, including the significant role played by the RSN's first ship, the RSS Panglima, in safeguarding Singapore's waters during the early years. Enthusiasts of naval history can also savour the stories behind the Navy's early warships told alongside their accompanying guns and weapon systems.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in the interactive adventure called 'Captain's Conquest,' which is a treasure hunt that also showcases the skills and knowledge of seafarers. For visitors who are not satisfied with just understanding what is on the surface, they can step into the world of submarines through "Silent Waters" and learn about the vital role played by these silent and formidable machines. The Museum will also organise activities to show visitors how our RSN capably safeguards our sea lanes 24/7.

I would like to sincerely thank the Navy team and Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) for their superb joint efforts in revitalising the Singapore Navy Museum. Their labour will be rewarded with visitors not only feeling pride in our Navy's history and progress, but also understanding the need for and therefore desiring the RSN's continued development and strengthening to safeguard our Home, our Singapore.

I wish the new Singapore Navy Museum success beyond horizons.

Thank you.