The rallying call for Singapore during this COVID-19 pandemic is to "Emerge Stronger, Together". This invocation, this aspiration, was conceived and crafted in the early phases of our war against the virus. We could not have known that many more battles lay ahead. This biological opponent should not be underestimated – it is not going to give us victory so easily. It is able to adapt to our responses with countermeasures that weaken our defences, with variant strains, more infectious, stronger than the original.

I use military terms because the COVID-19 pandemic teaches us lessons that are applicable to our national defence on this SAF Day. Just as we do against biological agents, we must constantly adjust to keep up with security threats. Standing still is moving backwards, and bound for failure.

Can the SAF emerge stronger from this pandemic? The way the SAF has responded during this crisis gives me assurance and confidence that it can. Let me cite a few examples, but there are many more. Each time the button was pushed, activated units have performed with flying colours. In January last year, about 1,500 servicemen from the Army's Combat Service Support Command (CSSCOM) worked tirelessly to pack over 5 million masks which eventually reached more than one million households. NSmen from 2nd and 8th Combat Support Hospital were activated as part of their ICTs to take care of over 5,000 COVID-positive patients at the Community Care Facility in Singapore EXPO. For more than two months, they exposed themselves to the risks of infection but held strong. In the end, they completed their mission successfully. They took care of recovering COVID-19 patients and not one soldier in the unit got infected. I visited them and found their commitment and professionalism exemplary.

Apart from the BMT that was postponed during last year's circuit breaker, and some less essential ICTs deferred, other training and exercises within the SAF continued. The RSN participated in the multilateral Exercise RIMPAC, as well as bilateral exercises with other navies. The RSAF deployed to Australia and the US for high-level exercises. Officer and Specialist Cadets continued their rigorous courses and graduated. Army units completed their ATEC evaluations, and other training for active servicemen. All these high intensity activities were completed without infections.

Similarly, we have continued to upgrade SAF hardware during this pandemic. Our Air Defence System has been strengthened; the Army's new Weapon Locating Radar and upgraded Belrex Mortar are operational, as are the RSN's Unmanned Surface Vessels (MARSEC USVs) this year.

Ultimately, resilience against any opposing force comes down to the tenacity of its people. The way SAF servicemen and women have responded to this pandemic gives me full confidence that indeed we have and will emerge stronger together against all threats.

Happy SAF Day and Majulah Singapura!