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In 2012, on the occasion of the Temasek Society's 30th anniversary, our founding Prime Minister the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, "From the day we started, I knew that we needed a strong SAF, and I believe that still remains today. Without a strong SAF, there is no economic future, there is no security". Mr Lee then ended with this frank assessment: "The SAF has done better than I hoped."
When Singapore gained her independence in 1965, there was no certainty that she could raise a military that could protect her interests and people. That the founding generation saw this as a critical need was not in doubt. They had personally experienced the anguish and subjugation under Japanese Occupation and would further witness the violence during Konfrontasi and communal riots. These experiences shaped the deeply held belief of the founding generation that without a strong defence to protect our home, others could take it away and we would be helpless to prevent aggressors from inflicting harm on Singaporeans. A people defeated would face terrible hardship and loss of loved ones. But a strong SAF is not built on hopes and aspirations alone. It requires the continuing determination and personal sacrifice of every household in Singapore, for our sons to perform NS duties. It requires the Government backed by Singaporeans to put aside adequate resources every year to build up the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Today, the SAF has done better than our founding generation hoped for. Indeed, the SAF is a highly respected and professional military able to conduct a wide spectrum of operations on air, land and sea, both in peacetime and periods of tension. The SAF has assisted other countries to fight forest fires, provided aid after earthquakes and tsunamis, and brought back Singaporean families left stranded. At home, SAF soldiers protect key installations and stand ready to respond to terrorist incidents. Abroad, the SAF joins other countries to deal with terrorist groups who mean to do us harm. The SAF keeps Singapore safe and contributes to global security.
But the SAF can only be as strong as the support and commitment it receives from our people - from families, employers, volunteers, NSmen and Regulars. On this SAF day, the men and women of the SAF reaffirm their individual pledge to perform their duty to the best of their ability and to faithfully and diligently protect Singapore with their lives. I ask all Singaporeans in turn to support the SAF, with their hearts, encouragement and solidarity. What we inherited from our founding generation - our home, our Singapore - is precious and our way of life worth defending together.
Dr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence