ADDENDA, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: MR TEO CHEE HEAN

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence

Security is the bedrock of Singapore's survival and the foundation of a successful and prosperous Singapore. A strong defence gives us the political space to chart our own destiny, and the assurance that our sovereignty and vital interests are secure. In times of difficulties, it gives us the confidence to build a better future for all Singaporeans.

Security challenges do not go away during a recession. The global economic crisis creates new uncertainties that could lead to social and political instability. In today’s inter-connected world, we continue to face a spectrum of threats, including terrorism, piracy, natural disasters, pandemics and others that we have not yet foreseen. The SAF will continue to work closely with home-front agencies to support our national counter-terrorism strategy.

A re-balancing of global power is also underway. While the US remains pre-eminent, the rise of China and India’s economic and political influence has accelerated. These developments will shape our future security environment.

Defence diplomacy

To promote regional security amidst these geopolitical changes, we encourage the development of an open and inclusive regional architecture. With a united and strong ASEAN at the core, countries in the region and beyond can come together to address common security challenges and cooperate for mutual benefit. We will continue to build strong bilateral relationships with friendly countries while also engaging multilaterally at fora such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus initiative.

Steady and prudent investment for a strong SAF

The primary mission of the SAF is to defend Singapore. Our prudent and steady investment in defence provides us with a ready, strong and capable SAF with a full spectrum of capabilities to deter aggression and respond flexibly in peacetime through to full-scale combat operations should the need arise.

The transformation to the 3rd Generation SAF enables us to meet the demands of an increasingly complex security environment. The SAF will continue to take an integrated and networked approach to doctrine development, upgrading and acquisition, operations and planning. New platforms like the Air Force's G-550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft

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and F-15SG fighter, the Navy's stealth frigates, and the Army’s Leopard 2A4 tanks will enhance the SAF's ability to see and strike to win the battle. The SAF is also restructuring to be more mission effective and resource efficient in meeting the security challenges. The new Maritime Security Task Force will promote national coordination and international cooperation to secure our waters and sea lanes.

MINDEF will continue to invest in research and development to harness cutting-edge technology especially in the areas of information networks, unmanned platforms and precision weapons to support the transformation of the SAF.

People

People are the decisive edge of the SAF. We must continue to attract and retain, develop and deploy able and committed people for the defence of Singapore. We are enhancing the SAF military career schemes to better address the operational needs of the 3rd Generation SAF, as well as the changing profile and aspirations of our servicemen and young Singaporeans. The careers of our combat military officers will be extended from age 45 today to 50, so that they have more time to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience to operate in a more complex environment, and can contribute to the SAF longer. We will enhance the career proposition for our warrant officers and provide more opportunities for academic upgrading. We will introduce a new SAF uniformed scheme, called the Military Domain Experts Scheme, to develop deep military expertise in technical, engineering, intelligence and other specialised areas. This scheme will provide a career up to age 60, with extensive professional upgrading opportunities. These changes will be implemented in the first quarter of 2010.

International contributions

Singapore is committed to doing its part in international security operations. Our deployments to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Iraq since 2001 have now drawn to an end. We have also contributed to the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan since 2007. We currently have a 6-man construction engineering team and a 20-man medical team deployed there. We will continue to support this effort. The deployment of a KC-135 tanker refuelling aircraft and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle task group is being considered. These operations are not without risk. Improvised explosive devices and rocket attacks are commonplace in Afghanistan. To mitigate the risks we make sure that our servicemen are well prepared with equipment and training.

To show our support for international efforts to counter-piracy, the SAF has deployed a Landing Ship Tank with two Super Puma helicopters in the Gulf of Aden. In our region, we will continue to work with our neighbours on the security of the Strait of Malacca through the Malacca Strait Patrols.

Commitment to Defence

Ultimately, our security depends on the collective commitment and resilience of every Singaporean. With MINDEF's Total Defence campaigns over the last 25 years, Singaporeans have internalised that the defence of Singapore is everyone's responsibility and they can play their part. MINDEF will continue to engage all Singaporeans to strengthen their personal commitment to the defence of our country through their participation in various Total Defence activities and programmes.

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National Service remains the backbone of the SAF, and maintaining the motivation and morale of our National Servicemen remains a key priority. MINDEF will continue to recognise the contributions of our National Servicemen, their family members and employers, and work on enhancing their commitment to the defence of Singapore. We have just convened RECORD V, which builds on the work done by the past four committees, to recommend further ways to recognise the contributions of our National Servicemen.

MINDEF draws strength from the steadfast public support for defence, and the feedback of Singaporeans through consultation channels such as ACCORD, RECORD and the National Education Outreach programme. MINDEF will continue to work with Singaporeans to provide a defence which is strong and ready for Singapore.