Forty-six years ago, Singaporeans resolved to protect our nation. We formed the SAF. It meant an on-going commitment of substantial national resources as well as personal effort and sacrifice to build a credible force that could deter potential aggressors. This is the price we pay to secure our way of life and future.

Every SAF Day, citizens remind themselves of this commitment to their own defence while the SAF reaffirms its pledge of loyalty and dedication to the nation. It is through this continual commitment from its people that we have built a capable SAF that functions effectively as an integrated and potent force. The SAF continues to attract high calibre officers and servicemen who maintain exacting professional standards. We have sharpened our operational capabilities and won respect internationally over the past years through our deployments in international security and reconstruction missions, such as in the Gulf of Aden and Afghanistan, and assisting in disaster relief operations overseas.

Even as we expand our operational capacity to meet a wider spectrum of challenges, the core mission of the SAF remains constant - to deter threats, and to achieve a swift and decisive victory should deterrence fail. To this end, the SAF must continue to maintain its operational readiness and responsiveness. A strong SAF is the ultimate guarantor for our peace, stability and prosperity. It provides the security which allows Singaporeans to go about their daily lives confident that our nation's sovereignty is being protected.

The SAF places high demands on its people and this sometimes calls for considerable sacrifice. Our soldiers have to undergo tough and demanding training, often away from home and their loved ones. Such effort is necessary to keep the SAF potent, operationally ready and credible. I am heartened to see in my visits to units and training exercises the fighting spirit, commitment and enthusiasm of the men and women who serve our nation as soldiers, sailors and airmen. As we commemorate SAF Day, let us renew our pledge and commitment to defend our nation. Let us also recognise and appreciate the critical role played by families and employers, whose support has enabled our servicemen to carry out their duties and contribute to the defence of our country. The ultimate measure of the SAF's strength lies in the will and resolve of our people to defend Singapore. On behalf of the Government and the people of Singapore, I thank each of you for your service and loyalty to Singapore.