Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted Mr Lee Kuan Yew to the Temasek Society 30th Anniversary dinner dialogue with senior Ministry of Defence officials and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officers at the Shangri-La Hotel this evening. The theme of the dialogue was "Security Challenges for Singapore". The dinner dialogue was also attended by President Tony Tan Keng Yam as Patron of Temasek Society. Temasek Society is a forum for SAF officers and civilians to discuss strategic and professional military issues.

During the dialogue, Mr Lee shared his insights on how despite great odds, we had built up the SAF to what it is today, from almost nothing. He also reminded officers that Singapore, being a small state, would always need a strong defence to ensure its continued survival. Mr Lee highlighted that the 3rd Generation SAF was now technologically advanced, respected and fully capable of meeting Singapore's defence needs. National Service was now widely accepted by Singaporeans. This was achieved because the Government had been prepared to spend on our defence needs over many years, to build a strong and capable SAF as the ultimate guarantor of our security and independence. Mr Lee said that going forward, we will continue to invest in the SAF to attract top calibre people with capabilities to handle the complex and uncertain security challenges that Singapore would encounter in the future.

Responding to the members' questions, Mr Lee said, "From the day we started, I knew that we needed a strong SAF, and I believe that still remains today. Without a strong SAF, there is no economic future, there is no security." Mr Lee added, "I think the SAF has done better than I hoped. That was because the generation that grew up, knew the stakes that were involved." Highlighting the key challenge facing Singapore, Mr Lee spoke about the serious problem of a shrinking demography, which will impact not only Singapore's economic future but also its security.

At the end of the dialogue, Dr Ng and Lieutenant General Neo Kian Hong, presented Mr Lee with an SM1 tank model as a memento. Mr Lee was instrumental in bringing the AMX-13 tank to Singapore which was subsequently upgraded to the SM1. The AMX-13 tank first participated in the 1969 National Day Parade^[1] and had served the SAF faithfully for almost four decades as a key and enduring bedrock of the SAF's deterrent edge. 

^[1] Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First (Singapore: Times Media Private Limited, 2000), p. 40-41.