Background

The security threats that confront the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) today are multi-faceted and ever-changing. In the digital domain, there are new frontiers beyond the traditional battlefield, such as the proliferation of cyber weapons. The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), announced earlier this year, will bolster the SAF's capability to defend Singapore in the digital battlefield. As these threats continue to grow in scale, sophistication and organisation, efforts to develop the key building blocks of the DIS continue apace.

Developing Infrastructure for Capability Development

Establishing the Digital Ops-Tech Centre (DOTC).

The establishment of the DOTC will equip the SAF with a quick response force to meet new operational requirements on the digital frontier and also develop a digital core well-versed in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for the SAF's operational edge. The DOTC will be the centre of excellence for SAF's digital expertise, partnering the Defence Tech Community (DTC), Whole-of-Government digital agencies, academia and the industry, to remain innovative in its approaches and culture.

Besides cultivating the SAF's own digital experts, through the C4X(Digital) and Digital Specialist (DigiSpec) schemes, the DOTC provides the right tools, environment, and mentorship for innovation and collaboration, to facilitate work on projects by the SAF's operational units. These digital experts will then rotate between the DOTC and the SAF's operational units, and externally to DOTC's professional partners mentioned above for exposure to build a comprehensive understanding of the cyber ecosystem.

Centre of Excellence for Cyber Range.

To train the SAF's Cyber Defenders and contribute to a highly-skilled workforce capable of defending Singapore's critical infrastructure, a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Range (CCR) will be established. Cyber Defenders will be able to train alongside Whole-of-Government in a rich and simulated cyber terrain, ranging from enterprise information systems to critical infrastructure systems. In addition, CCR will host bilateral and multilateral exercises bringing militaries, industries and academia together to share best practices, insights and knowledge. The CCR will enable the SAF's Cyber Defenders to hone their skills by training under realistic scenarios based on the SAF's current operating environment.

Developing a Skilled and Talented Workforce

Building our Digital Workforce.

A highly-skilled digital workforce is key to the digital defence strategy of the SAF. The DIS will focus efforts to attract and develop both military and non-uniformed digital experts to grow the SAF's digital workforce.

1. Expanding Digital Schemes. To develop and groom digital experts, the Command, Control, Communications and Computers Expert (C4X) and Defence Cyber Expert (DCX) schemes have been expanded to include digital competencies such as software engineering, app development, Data Science, AI and Cloud Architecting. In July 2022, the initial core of C4X (Digital) and DCX (Digital) personnel will be established in tandem with this expansion. The SAF will continue to grow the initial core of digital experts through recruitment, in-service conversions, and professional partnerships with the wider digital ecosystem.


2. Expanding Recruitment Efforts. Recruitment for C4X (Digital) is open to both fresh entry and mid-career talents, with options for flexible short-term employment. The number of top-tier scholarships will also be increased for Digital and Intelligence talents.


3. Leveraging NS. NSFs and NSmen with tech talents will be leveraged to support the SAF's digital core. NSFs with suitable skills will be offered the opportunity to participate in Work-Learn Schemes where Digital Specialists can earn academic credits from Nanyang Technological University that contribute to a degree in Data Science and AI, Computer Science or Computer Engineering. Operationally-Ready national servicemen with cyber talents may also be deployed to the Cyber Security Task Force to harness their skills and competencies for cyber defence. The SAF is also exploring the process of deploying NSmen with digital skills to relevant positions within the SAF, so that they can contribute in their area of expertise.