Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Heng Chee How, for the Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference 2024 on 21 Feb 2024

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How delivering his keynote address at the Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference this morning.

Senior Officials,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

OPENING ADDRESS

A very good morning and a very warm welcome to the Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference, or SATEC. To start, I would like to thank the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers for your kind invitation to once again join you.

Since the last conference, the aviation industry has experienced rapid recovery, with 4.3 billion passengers clocked last year, just shy of the pre-pandemic level of 4.5 billion clocked in 2019. The strong demand in air travel was mirrored by a robust air cargo market. Industry remains optimistic about the positive trajectory. Even so, there are potential headwinds to watch out for and today I would like to discuss three of them.

CHALLENGE 1: GROWING GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY

The first one would be growing geopolitical instability. The point that geopolitical instability is growing, I think it is a fact that no one would dispute. Great power rivalries, regional tensions and threats to supply chains have eroded globalisation and its network benefits. The exchange of knowledge, technology and talent among states and companies benefited the aerospace industry and accelerated innovation. Stunting linkages will constrain innovation, collaboration and growth. And we must therefore redouble our efforts to overcome protectionism and create opportunities for multilateral cooperation.

NEED FOR CLOSER DEFENCE COLLABORATION

Geopolitical contestations such as those that we see in Ukraine and Gaza, and the Houthi rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea, show the deadly consequences of such conflict, not only to the militaries and militias but also the civilian populations, and to the global economy. While this is not a forum to discuss geopolitics in depth, it is clear that there must be a consistent and responsible commitment to defence investments into rapid tech innovation and strategic collaboration, so that there can be greater deterrence against aggression.

In Singapore, both the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and DSO National Laboratories have expanded and deepened their networks of defence partners to share expertise in critical and emerging domains. For example, DSTA signed collaboration agreements over the past two years with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Airbus to hone its digitalisation, data analytics and additive manufacturing capabilities. Work is also being done to identify and foster high-yield partnerships with academia and to consider possibilities in the world of start-ups in disruptive technologies.

CHALLENGE 2: ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

Challenge number two, the economic uncertainty. The economic uncertainty facing the world is unlikely to subside anytime soon, owing to a confluence of geopolitical and geo-economic factors. The impact brought by high and unstable energy and food prices, constrained supply chains and challenging labour markets will continue to be acutely felt all around the world.

Hence, the need to both spur and to squeeze out every bit of productivity and cost-efficiency as counter-measures to these negative forces is of paramount importance. And in this regard, boosting innovation in and the pervasive adoption of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies, will be especially valuable.

NEED TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION

Singapore sees tech innovation as a key strategy to transform our aerospace industry. As an example, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) started the 5G Aviation Testbed last year, facilitating trials using high speed networks. Projects include new ways to inspect aircraft remotely, use of video analytics and AI to predict aircraft turnaround time more accurately, baggage loading and unloading using autonomous vehicles and machinery to enhance labour efficiency, among other projects.

On the defence side of the house, the RSAF's Smart Airbases initiative leverage robotics, AI, data analytics and machine learning to automate and streamline maintenance and airbase operations. The RSAF also created the RSAF Agile, Innovation and Digital (RAiD) office in 2022 to accelerate digital transformation, operationalise digital solution-seeking and to grow in-house capabilities for rapid and viable tech adoption.

Singapore is also expanding our aerospace industrial capabilities through fostering public-private sector collaboration and encouraging corporate inventiveness. For example, the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab, a collaboration between A*STAR, Rolls-Royce and SAESL created new manufacturing and repair technologies over the past seven years. Pratt and Whitney's Singapore Technology Accelerator will develop cutting-edge MRO technologies that will be deployed across its global MRO network. These efforts will strengthen Singapore's role as a global and tech-driven aerospace manufacturing and MRO hub.

Innovation breakthroughs can also help create new markets. Advanced Air Mobility is an example of such a possibility. ST Engineering is investing significantly in this area and has deployed its DroNet system in shore-to-ship trials. Last year, CAAS and its regional counterparts started work-streams aimed at safely and efficiently regulating air-taxi and drone operations.

CHALLENGE 3: GROWING NEED TO DECARBONISE

Challenge number three, growing need to decarbonise. In the face of clear, deleterious effects of climate change, there is a growing sense of urgency to better manage the earth's environment and achieve a green transition that is effective, just and equitable. The recently concluded COP28 global commitment illustrates that.

And in line with such global aspirations, ICAO member states have adopted the goal of net-zero emissions by the year 2050. Fulfilling that pledge will be a big challenge. Electrification or the use of hydrogen fuel cells are still relatively nascent developments. Sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, accounted for just 0.2% of fuels consumed last year, largely because the economics have not yet been proven viable. These facts – they are facts – but they are not a reason for cynicism or despair or giving up. We should see them as a cause for collective resolve and for the applying of the best minds to achieve mission success so that the earth can stave off the disastrous consequences of climate change.

CONCRETE PLANS TO DECARBONISE

And in this spirit, the CAAS will be launching a Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint to bring together and drive its de-carbonisation efforts. The blueprint will include expanding renewable energy adoption, converting airport vehicles to greener energy options, sustainable infrastructure design, driving the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and improving Air Traffic Management.

For instance, the CAAS collaborated with the FAA, AeroThai and JCAB last year to demonstrate the operational efficiencies and environmental gains that trajectory-based operations would yield.

Neste, on its part, added 1 million tons of SAF production capacity at its Singapore refinery last year, and that makes it the world's largest SAF production facility with a seamless supply chain connection from manufacturing to the Changi Airport.

CAG and CAAS have also signed a cooperation agreement with Linde and Airbus to examine the potential for a hydrogen hub in Singapore.

LINK TO EVENT AND CLOSING REMARKS

Friends, I have chosen to highlight and link two themes in my speech – technology and collaboration – because they are very pertinent to the work of SATEC. SATEC is a valuable platform for researchers, engineers, business executives from industry, academia and state agencies to come together and figure out practical ways to work together to tackle serious issues in the here and now, and for the future.

And therefore, I urge you to do your best to path-find, as we strive to explore and build a new era for the aerospace industry. I wish everyone present a very fruitful conference, and an exciting week ahead at the Singapore Airshow. Thank you.