MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

DR YEO NING HONG Minister for Defence

Today Singapore enjoys peace, prosperity and good relations with our neighbours. But events in the last few years have dramatically brought home the importance of preparing for the untoward and unexpected. The post-Cold War world is not necessarily a safer place for us. The geopolitical balance is still in a state of flux. Regional conflicts continue everywhere. Singapore is a small country in an era of big powers. We must maintain vigilance in defence through a strong and operationally ready SAF to preserve our security in this world order. Total Defence

2. Total Defence is Singapore's strategy for security. With Total Defence, our people will be vigilant and prepared in facing the future.

3. Psychological Defence strengthens our commitment to our country and confidence in our future. It is about Singaporeans' collective will to stand up for our rights, to protect what is ours, to live in peace, and to prosper in our own way as a nation.

4. The SAF is the military arm of Total Defence. It protects the interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Republic from external threats. It maintains an operational readiness and a military capability that can act decisively should deterrence fail. But the responsibility of safeguarding our country is not the SAF's alone. It is a collective responsibility involving every Singaporean.

5. Total Defence was launched nearly a decade ago. In 1994, MINDEF aims to create awareness of the collective responsibility for Total Defence among the new generation, and show them their part to play.

National Servicemen

6. National service began in 1967. Since then almost half a million men have trained as soldiers through full-time national service to become "operationally ready national servicemen". This is a more appropriate term than "reservists" to describe our citizen soldiers who have completed their full-time training, and are ready at short notice to assume their front-line battle positions.

Training

7. MINDEF will continue to recruit its share of able Singaporeans at every level in every cohort, to train them and motivate them to give of their best in the defence of Singapore.

8. People constitute our most precious resource. Over the past two years, we have improved the management of Basic Military Training for national servicemen, and reduced medical attrition and training injuries by 70%. We will continue to streamline training wherever possible. As the educational level of the population rises, we will make more use of sophisticated training means such as computer-aided instruction and simulators.

9. Morale and motivation of soldiers are critical. MINDEF will continue to ensure that our soldiers are fit and operationally ready, equipped with the latest technology, and provided with good logistical support.

10. We also need strong and capable officers who can lead and motivate their men in battle. The new SAFTI Military Institute to be set up in 1994 will improve the training of our officer cadre.

Technology

11. The SAF relies heavily on technology as the force multiplier to overcome its limited manpower base. MINDEF will introduce additional advanced fighters, maritime patrol aircraft, mine countermeasure vessels and other high technology weapon systems to protect our territory and vital sea lines of communications.

12. We need a self-reliant capability in defence technology. Research and development must be complemented by a strong defence industry able to translate operational requirements and advanced technology into fighting systems. We have built up important indigenous industrial capabilities, and integrated advanced systems into small fighting platforms, as demonstrated by the FH88 howitzer, missile corvettes and A4-SU Super Skyhawks. This has reduced the SAF_s manpower requirements, and increased its fire power and manoeuverability. MINDEF will further enhance its strategic technological and industrial capabilities.

Defence Relations

13. MINDEF will continue to promote good defence ties with other armed forces. These help to develop mutual confidence and understanding, and contribute to regional peace and security. We hold regular bilateral and multilateral exercises with friendly countries in the region and beyond.

14. New overseas training opportunities have also been made available to the SAF. These include test-firing of artillery weapons at ranges in India, the Air Combat Manoeuvring Range (ACMR) in Sumatra to be inaugurated in 1994, the transfer of the Flying Training School (FTS) to Australia, and the current training of our pilots on F-16 fighters in the United States.

International Responsibilities

15. Singapore is a responsible member of the international community. MINDEF will continue to support international peacekeeping under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). MINDEF currently supports the UN mission at the Iraq-Kuwait border (UNIKOM) with an observer team. In recognition of SAF's capability and commitment, a senior SAF officer has been appointed as UNIKOM's Chief of Staff.