Defence Minister Announces Innovative Solution to Enhance Air and Sea Security

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen giving his speech at the MINDEF PRIDE Day 2014 Awards Presentation Ceremony.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen announced that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be deploying a tethered aerostat in a military camp early next year. This new platform is an innovative and cost-effective solution that enhances Singapore's air and maritime security by overcoming obstruction from high-rise buildings in our urban landscape. It will complement the RSAF's suite of airborne and ground-based radars. Dr Ng was officiating at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) PRoductivity and Innovation in Daily Efforts (PRIDE) Day 2014 awards presentation ceremony held at Nanyang Polytechnic this morning when he made this announcement. A total of 173 awards were presented to individuals, groups and units from MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in recognition of their outstanding and innovative projects. Through their innovations and work improvement ideas, savings of $139 million were achieved in the last financial year.

Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of continually seeking solutions to optimise resources and achieving better outcomes to make the SAF a more capable and effective force. The tethered aerostat is one such creative solution. Compared to other conventional means of maintaining continuous airborne radar coverage, it will save an estimated $29.2 million a year when it is introduced in 2015. Dr Ng also reaffirmed the importance of the individual's commitment to the PRIDE movement. Making reference to the evolving security challenges, he said, "The only way MINDEF or the SAF can address these challenges adequately is that individuals within the organisation come up with good ideas. You heard the phrase "Thinking Organisation". Actually that is a misnomer. When we come together it is not as if we think better. An organisation can only think as good as the people within. So PRIDE needs to be an on-going activity".The MINDEF PRIDE Movement has been promoting a culture of organisational excellence, innovation and productivity across MINDEF and the SAF since 1981. PRIDE Day is held annually to recognise the outstanding efforts and contributions by participants of the MINDEF PRIDE Movement. This is the first time the MINDEF PRIDE Day is organised in conjunction with the Public Service 21 Excellence through Continuous Enterprise and Learning (PS21 ExCEL) Convention. This year's theme, "Today's Ideas, Tomorrow's PRIDE", conveys the desired attitude and belief that every idea conceived can be nurtured to reap changes and productivity gains that the Public Service can be proud of.

The public is invited to visit the MINDEF PRIDE Day 2014 Exhibition, which will be held at the atrium of Nanyang Polytechnic from 28-30 Oct 2014, 10am to 4pm. The PS21 ExCEL Convention and MINDEF PRIDE Day exhibition showcase a range of innovative projects contributed by individuals and teams from MINDEF, the SAF, ST Engineering and Defence Science & Technology Agency, together with the PS21 ExCEL Convention exhibits from other government agencies.

Dr Ng giving out the Minister for Defence Award to ME7 Andy Tay Commander of Naval Logistics Command (NALCOM).

Dr Ng viewing one of the projects on display at the PRIDE Exhibition.