SAF Honours Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong for His Contributions to the SAF

Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng presenting the memento of a cartridge from a 25-pounder gun to Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong.

The 2024 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day Dinner was held at the SAFTI Military Institute earlier this evening. This annual event appreciates and recognises the dedication, commitment and contributions of our service personnel in maintaining and safeguarding Singapore’s peace and security.

At the SAF Day Dinner this year, Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong was recognised for his support and contributions to both the progress of the SAF and Singapore as the Prime Minister over the past two decades. In thanking and honouring SM Lee on behalf of MINDEF and the SAF, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said “It is a noble and virtuous aspiration for the SAF to hope for more future Prime Ministers to come from its ranks. Because at its core, whether as a leader within the SAF or of Singapore, that same raison d'être exists – to serve and protect our country with every ounce of our being, and no better exemplar than General Lee Hsien Loong in the SAF or him as Prime Minister.”

SM Lee was presented a cartridge from a 25-pounder gun, embellished with Artillery colours, along with a photo collage of him during his military tenure to serve as an evocative reminder of his days as an Artillery Officer in the SAF. The cartridge was from the last round fired by SM Lee in Khatib Camp on 21 September 1984, which marked the conclusion of his distinguished military career. 

SM Lee joined the SAF in 1971 and served as a commissioned Artillery officer between 1974 to 1984, where he held various command and staff appointments. As a former Brigadier-General, SM Lee held the position of Chief of Staff of the General Staff in 1982, and concurrently as the Director of the Joint Operations and Plans Directorate in 1983, where he drove the set-up of Joint-Staff and the SAF as a tri-service force, that shaped the SAF of today. He was notably put in command of the rescue operations during the Sentosa Cable Car incident in 1983. SM Lee’s relationship with the SAF continued even when he retired and joined politics in 1984 – he served as Minister of State for Ministry of Defence from 1984 to 1987 and subsequently Second Minister for Defence from 1987 to 1990 where he pushed to establish Exercise Wallaby in 1990 in Shoalwater Bay.

Also present at the dinner were Senior Ministers of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Mr Zaqy Mohamad, current and former officials from MINDEF and SAF, members of the SAF Veterans’ League, as well as members of the Artillery Alumni who had served with SM Lee.

SM Lee giving a speech at the SAF Day Dinner.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen giving a speech at the SAF Day Dinner.

SM Lee interacting with members of the Artillery Alumni during the pre-dinner reception.

The line of honour formed by members of the SAF thanking SM Lee for his contributions and support to MINDEF and SAF.

Dr Ng interacting with the winners of the SAF Best Unit Competition and their spouses.

Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the SAF Day Dinner on 26 July 2024