MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Political uncertainties and security threats continue in this region. Vietnamese aggressiveness and the Kampuchean question are not likely to be resolved for some time. Defence is thus of vital importance to Singapore. Without security and stability we shall not survive. The defence of Singapore is in the hands of its people. To live in peace and harmony, every citizen must be prepared to defend his home and country.

Our resources and manpower are limited. Our defence must be built on national service. The emphasis in the next five years will be to upgrade the quality of our manpower, to improve our defence management systems, and to acquire better equipment and weaponry. Special attention will be given to the physical fitness of every member of the SAF, career development of the officer corps, reservist training, and upgrading of the Air Force and the Navy.

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is of utmost importance to every SAF member. The Ministry will have better professional instructors, install new physical training equipment, and provide a wider range of sports amenities in all SAF camps. Every SAF unit will conduct more rigorous training programmes to get SAF members to make keeping physically fit a life-long habit.

The Ministry will help the schools in their physical training programmes to build up the physical fitness of school boys before they are enlisted into the SAF. The Ministry will encourage reservists to maintain a high standard of physical fitness. Physical training instructors and equipment will be made available for training to be conducted at more community centres.

Career Development of SAF Officers

The SAF will offer more overseas training awards and local university scholarships to newly-commissioned officers to improve the quality of manpower in its officer cadre. Promising SAF officers with some experience will be sent overseas for advanced military training to improve their professional skills.

New schemes of service will be introduced to encourage good national service NCOs to become regulars. These NCOs will be trained in a wide range of skills, assets when they eventually enter the private sector. Certain appointments in the civil service and the statutory boards will be reserved for them after they have served a number of years in the SAF.

Improving Reservist Training

The main fighting strength of the SAF is in the Reserves. Hence, reservists will be given more intensive in-camp training. Reservist officers will be trained to shoulder greater responsibilities. Selected reservist officers, especially those who have distinguished themselves in their civilian careers, will attend special higher staff and command courses to equip them for senior staff and command appointments.

The Ministry seeks the understanding and co-operation of employers to release employees who are reservist officers to attend upgrading courses. The Ministry will convince private sector employers to follow public sector practice, in taking into account the rank and performance of these employees when considering their career development. Improvements to the RSAF and RSN

The Air Force and the Navy will develop higher skills in their personnel. Selected officers will be sent for advanced courses and specialised training, either locally or overseas. The Pilot Training School will strive for higher standards. The Schools of Midshipman and Naval Training will upgrade the quality of their graduates.

Better Management Systems

The Ministry will introduce more advanced computer systems and systems engineering techniques to increase productivity and efficiency in defence management. SAF officers will be trained increasingly in the use of computers in order to deal with advanced military operations and weapons systems.

Control of Drug Abuse

The SAF has met with some success in controlling the drug problem among national servicemen. It will intensify its efforts to detect, monitor, and rehabilitate drug-takers among national servicemen to minimise, if not eliminate, the drug problem.

Conclusion

In the next few years the SAF will be a more efficient and professional organization, with every SAF member having better training, higher morale, and a greater sense of belonging and contributing his best for the defence of Singapore.

HOWE YOON CHONG Minister of Defence