Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the 2015 Defence Technology Prize Award Ceremony

PS(D), PS(DD)
Chief Defence Scientist
CE DSTA, CE DSO
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very happy to join you for your annual Defence Technology Prize Award Ceremony. I like it when our defence scientists and engineers, or as you call it your Defence Technology Community (DTC), meet because as Chief Defence Scientist (CDS) said, you do not often get to tout your wares or your abilities. So at least today in this room you know who you are, even if you cannot tell what you are doing. But we are very proud of this community. And ever more so, the importance of indigenous capabilities, especially for the defence arena, has become more crucial because the defence arena has not been spared the effects of globalisation. Increasingly, both state and even non-state actors can purchase a wide array of sophisticated defence equipment and weaponry on the open market. There is an on-going concern that even crude nuclear weapons could be purchased from clandestine suppliers by extremist elements. So this is not in the realm of fiction, it can actually happen.

And I think in this context, we have to thank our founding generation for having the foresight, the courage, the determination, to start an indigenous scientific and engineering defence capability. I say this because if we put ourselves back in their shoes at that time, there were many challenges - to set up the SAF, set up this and that. It would be very far sighted to say, "well, let's start up a scientific capability", because nobody would have blamed you for not starting one. But today we reap the harvest of that planting. Our own DTC provides us the ability to enhance what we buy or build what we need. And as CDS said, we first awarded this prize in 1989, and the aim was a simple one and still is a simple one. It aims to recognise you as individuals and or groups, to spur you on to greater capabilities, and to recognise all the years of efforts and your achievements to keep Singapore secure and Singaporeans safe.

DTC is an important partner to the SAF

Increasingly, we will need to leverage our scientific and technological expertise to address the threats, whether it is terrorism, biological pandemics and cyber-security. We all know that technology also allows us to multiply our efforts as we tackle the challenges of a shrinking workforce or land-scarce Singapore. And we will continue to invest in technologies such as satellites and sensors that help us see farther and quicker; in analytics and robotic systems that can respond autonomously or with few men in the loop. Because it is with these capabilities that the SAF will stay sharp and strong as an effective fighting force, even if we have fewer people.

Why are we confident that the DTC will deliver when we place on them greater responsibilities? I am confident because over the last 40 years, you have proven your capabilities time and again in diverse areas - whether it was in enhancing the security of our critical national infrastructure related to transportation, telecommunication and power supply systems; whether it was providing innovative solutions such as the Marina Bay floating platform and the Underground Ammunition Facility; or whether it was building mass thermal scanners during the SARs outbreak and rapid detection kits of the Ebola virus in the recent outbreak. Your track record gives us that confidence.

Defence Science & Engineering Scholarship

This is why we will continue to invest significantly to maintain if not grow a talented pool of defence scientists and engineers who have a deep understanding of our operational challenges. We will continue to attract high calibre scientists and engineers and develop their careers in the defence arena. Over the years we have enhanced our scholarships for those who are keen to pursue a military science and engineering career. We will ensure that those with proven capabilities make good career progression and are given opportunities to excel and lead. And these efforts that we put in place over the years are bearing fruit. Over the last four years alone for example, we have seen a 30% increase in the take-up of science and engineering scholarships awarded by the SAF. That is a significant jump and it shows that we are on the right path, and that we just need to be dogged and far sighted about this. This is encouraging given the keen demand for scientists and engineers in other industries, and the counter-current of choices that graduates from pre-universities and polytechnics take. It is not so hip to be scientists and engineers now. Worldwide, there is declining interest in them and even developed countries are trying to change this trend. We are fortunate, I think we have placed enough attention but we still need to put in effort and I am glad we are able to hold our own. This increase gives us encouragement that us together - MINDEF, the SAF and the DTC - continue to attract bright talent into this field.

Honoring DTC and DTP Winners

So today's DTP recognises the outstanding scientists and engineers in your community who over the years have gained prominence from their work and contributions. This year, we have four individual winners, Dr Samson See, Dr Poh Eng Kee, Mr Cheng Heng Ngom and Mr Teo Chew Kwee. These winners are experts in their fields and are widely consulted by the defence industry.

Dr Poh from the DSO National Laboratories (DSO) has led the development of advanced guidance, navigation and control technology to enhance the SAF's unmanned system capabilities since 1986. One of his achievements is the development of more resilient GPS equipment against malicious jammers. Dr Poh's innovation accurately pinpoints the source of interference to act against it. He joins Dr See, also from DSO, who has played a key role in developing statistical and array signal processing for defence applications. They both win the individual award.

Mr Cheng Heng Ngom from DSTA was a key figure in helping us develop the Combat Management System Reference Architecture. This system allows us to connect more efficiently pieces of information from disparate sources to enhance situational awareness on air, land and sea. And this is important because it is that ability to make sense of the environment that allows our commanders to make more informed decisions and to precisely deploy their resources. For example, this system allows our Short-Range Air Defence and Island Air Defence capabilities to see further, to spot airborne threats in real-time and respond more swiftly and decisively. And this is important because we have a limited air space.

Mr Teo Chew Kwee from ST Kinetics is recognised for his significant contributions towards developing the SAF's artillery weapons over the past 27 years, from the FH2000 Howitzer to the 155-mm Singapore Light Weight Howitzer Pegasus - the first and the only one of its kind in the world. Because the Pegasus can be rapidly transported into the battlefield, moved immediately into position and deployed within three minutes. This gives the SAF quick access to firepower whenever and wherever it is needed.

This year, the Underwater Technology Team and Advanced Communications Analysis Team have won this year's team awards. The Underwater Technology team from DSO built an advanced sonar system for our autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for counter-mine missions. It is with this sonar system that our AUVs can stay underwater for longer periods of time with better sea mine detection capability. As CDS said, it was an SME, Microfine Materials Technologies Pte Ltd, that helped build this system with production of single piezoelectric crystal that allows us to have better sonar capabilities. And this is the first time that we are giving the DTP to an SME. I hope that all these awards will encourage more of our local defence companies to develop capabilities to meet the SAF's needs. The Advanced Communications Analysis Team from DSO delivered a novel capability in analytics that allows the SAF to operate complex communications system.

Conclusion

Let me on behalf of all of you congratulate all award winners and to the many more who supported them. May you continue to serve as fine examples to another generation of DTC warriors.

Thank you very much.

More Resources

Defence Engineers and Scientists Honoured for Technological Innovation