Speeches
Speech by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry, at the 65/2025 Specialist Cadet Course Graduation Parade on 20 November 2025
20 November 2025
Graduands of the 65/2025 Specialist Cadet Course,
Parents and loved ones of our Graduands,
Men and women of the Singapore Armed Forces,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening!
Introduction
I am happy to join you this evening to celebrate your graduation as Specialists and Military Experts of the Singapore Armed Forces. This is the third time that I have returned to Leaders Square as the Reviewing Officer for this parade. Like always, I am touched by the high spirit and pride of the men and women on the parade.
Graduands, the journey you have taken has not been easy. You have survived long days in the field, demanding tests of endurance, and perhaps even moments of doubt. But through sheer grit, teamwork and discipline, you have emerged stronger, more capable, resilient and ready to lead. Tonight marks not just the end of your course, but the beginning of your journey as leaders — men and women who will uphold our values, overcome challenges, and lead your teams to achieve mission success.
Leadership in a Complex Security Environment
This year, as we commemorate SG60 and SAF60, we reflect on how the fate of Singapore and the SAF are closely intertwined. Singapore’s very survival as a sovereign nation is tied to the SAF. When Singapore became independent in 1965, we had limited military capabilities and a very small population. Our survival then depended on the ability to defend ourselves. The SAF was built from that existential need, and continues to be the ultimate safeguard for the security and sovereignty of our nation.
Today, the security landscape we navigate is defined by great power competition and heightened tensions. As mentioned by our Minister for Defence in an interview ahead of SAF Day this year, “We are not at war, but neither are we at peace”. Most recently, our region witnessed the clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border, the deadliest in over a decade. At home, we have been continually strengthening our digital defence from regular cyber-attacks targeting our critical infrastructure.
For the SAF, this means that we must be even more vigilant, prepared and capable of defending ourselves. I am pleased to note that the SAF continues to strengthen her capabilities to defend Singapore effectively. The F-35 fighter aircraft remains on track for first delivery in 2026. The new Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessels – the largest warships in the fleet – will integrate unmanned air, surface and sub-surface systems to conduct a wide range of missions. The SAF is also upgrading the HIMARS rocket systems and acquiring a new generation of Infantry Fighting Vehicles with counter-drone capabilities. In the digital domain, the DIS inaugurated the Defence Cyber Command (DCCOM) and SAF C4 and Digitalisation Command (SAFC4DC) earlier this year to strengthen the SAF’s digital and cyber capabilities.
As Specialists and Military Experts, you are at the forefront of this transformation. Even with the most advanced capabilities, it is the people in the SAF who make the decisive difference. From operating sophisticated weapon systems, drones in complex battlefields, to protecting our critical information infrastructure against advanced persistent threats, you translate technological capability into operational strength. Your leadership will ensure that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and guardians remain ready, confident and capable of rising to the occasion.
Leadership has always been the cornerstone of our defence. Rank gives you authority, but true leadership builds trust. How you train your people, perform under pressure, and care for your team will directly affect their morale, confidence and effectiveness. Your actions determine whether your teams and units can respond effectively in the face of uncertainty.
Leadership in the SAF also means being ready to learn, adapt and overcome. The battlefield will continue to evolve — and so must you. Keep building knowledge, honing your skills, and stay grounded in purpose — to protect Singapore and our people. The SAF will continue to invest in your development, recognising that our capabilities depend not only on technology, but also on the expertise and dedication of our people.
Families and Instructors — Supporting Our Servicemen and Women
To the families and loved ones who are here with us tonight — thank you. Your encouragement and patience have given our graduands the strength to persevere through every challenge. Your support has been instrumental in their success.
You can take pride in the leaders standing before us today. The rank they receive represents not only their achievement, but also the trust that we place in them to guide and care for those under their charge. Your support allows them to train and serve with confidence, knowing that you stand behind them.
I would also like to acknowledge the instructors who have guided the graduands throughout this journey. Their dedication, expertise and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping these men and women into the leaders they are today.
Conclusion
Graduands, as you leave this parade square, remember that leadership is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the challenges ahead as opportunities to strengthen your character, sharpen your judgment, and deepen your understanding of those whom you lead. Approach each day with humility, curiosity, and a readiness to learn.
Continue to grow, continue to serve, and continue to uphold the honour of the SAF.
With Pride We Lead!
Thank you.
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