MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

The General Elections of December 1976 proved that the Republic's citizens accept national service as a necessary duty of the young. Only in this way is it possible for a small country to achieve the minimum security required for confidence and development.

However, since our defence forces have to import nearly all their weapons and equipment, the rising prices of these products impose a severe financial burden. It is therefore necessary to exercise the utmost economy in defence expenditure. In November 1976, a committee of Finance and Defence Ministries' officials was appointed to maintain a continuing surveillance over costs and to prune down expenditure.

It is also necessary to economise in the use of manpower. As a result of successful family planning in past years, the number of young men available for national service in future years will show a steady but relentless decline. In ten years' time, the number available will be nearly 30% less than what it is now. There are a number of implications which are being studied in the Ministry of Defence. It will certainly be necessary to trim down manpower establishments and reduce or even abolish vocations which do not contribute much to the combat efficiency of army units. It will also be necessary to increase the number of regulars, especially in the NCO ranks. In the longer term, if force structure is to be maintained at current levels, it is more than likely that national service will have to be extended to women, for a start, possibly on a selective basis, to fill up non-combat posts.

GOH KENG SWEE Minister of Defence