"Moving forward, as our nation transitions to a COVID-19 endemic environment, the SAF is ready to train and operate even with COVID-19 in our midst."

- Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force

Background

Since the onset of COVID-19, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have had to adapt quickly to the various challenges brought about by the pandemic. Through it all, the SAF maintained a high degree of operational readiness and continued with force generation activities to ensure its core mission of safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty is not compromised. MINDEF/SAF also actively contributed to the Whole-of-Government fight against COVID-19. Moving forward, the SAF has implemented safe, practical and sustainable measures to maintain operational readiness and training safety in a COVID-19 endemic environment.

A COVID-19 Endemic Environment

MINDEF/SAF is making shifts to operate in a COVID-19 endemic environment with the intention to maintain continuity in operations and resume large-scale and high-end training, both locally and overseas^[1]. Continuity in force generation training and In-Camp Training (ICT) remains a priority.

MINDEF/SAF’s Three-Pronged Strategy

In a COVID-19 endemic environment, the SAF must operate with the assumption that some of its servicemen may get infected over time, even with a vaccinated population. The intention is to avoid disruptions to training, National Service activities, and operational readiness of critical ops units. Therefore, MINDEF/SAF has implemented a three-pronged strategy: vaccination, strengthened testing and surveillance, and cohorting.

Vaccination to Protect Our People

Vaccination remains the top priority and first line of defence against COVID-19. To date, 92% of the total active MINDEF/SAF population have received their first dose, and 83% are fully vaccinated. By the second week of July, all 92% will be fully vaccinated with both doses. Despite the high vaccination rates, the risk of COVID-19 infections remains. Therefore, MINDEF/SAF continues to implement strengthened testing and surveillance, and cohorting to detect, contain and reduce infections.

Strengthened Testing & Surveillance to Detect Infections

MINDEF/SAF will continue to strengthen testing and surveillance for MINDEF/SAF personnel to ensure cases are detected early and close contacts can be ring-fenced^[2]. The following measures have been implemented:

Regular Testing Regime. MINDEF/SAF has been conducting regular testing of front-line and service personnel who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Safe ICT^[3] and Basic Military Training (BMT). NSmen returning for unit level ICTs will continue to undergo entry tests as part of in-processing, and will also be placed on regular testing as required for their operational roles. For BMT, pre-entry swab tests and Rostered Routine Testing have been introduced for recruits^[4] and their trainers respectively to ensure that BMT can be conducted safely.

Building Up Testing Capabilities. MINDEF/SAF is building up testing capabilities with faster and less invasive methods, that will allow for early detection in a more practical and sustainable manner. These include Deep Throat Saliva Point-of-Care Tests, Do-It-Yourself Antigen Rapid Test Kits, and Breathalysers.

Cohorting to Contain and Reduce Transmission Risk

Cohorting remains critical to minimise risks and disruptions to operations, as it prevents the entire unit from being compromised if there are positive cases. The SAF will continue to conduct training within Functional Groups (FGs) whilst adhering to safe management measures to ensure that training can continue safely, and that possible infections are contained within the affected FG. Servicemen performing critical functions, such as island defence, protection of key installations, maritime security, air defence and counter-terrorism operations, remain cohorted.