MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence

1. To make Singapore our best home in the 21st Century, we need a firm foundation of national security. Singaporeans must remain committed to the defence of the country. A strong defence is the best guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity.

Importance of a Strong SAF

2. To deter aggressors, the SAF must always be strong and operationally-ready. Today the SAF is a well-integrated, balanced and credible fighting force. We will continue to develop and improve its capabilities to keep Singapore safe in the 21st Century.

3. People. The most important determinant of the quality of the SAF is its people. MINDEF will continue to recruit and retain able and committed men and women to lead the SAF. It will constantly find ways to use our limited manpower better, to employ them more effectively and raise their efficiency and productivity. MINDEF will also ensure that an SAF career is attractive and rewarding. Initiatives like the "Warrant Officer and Specialist 21 Development Masterplan" will improve the job nature, structure, sponsorship schemes, career paths and career transition for corps personnel.

4. Technology. The SAF will continue to harness technology as a force multiplier, to compensate for our small size and limited resources, and stay ahead. MINDEF will strengthen its strategic technological and industrial capabilities and defence research and development. It will emphasise Total Technological Support for the SAF, and improve cooperation among the SAF, the Defence Technology Group and our local defence industries.

5. Training. The SAF needs competent and well-trained manpower. MINDEF will continue to invest in training, to work out effective systems for operational training, and develop each person to his or her potential. MINDEF has revamped its Basic Military and Specialist training packages, and improved the system for selecting officer cadets and specialists, to identify the best and brightest in every cohort to assume positions of leadership and responsibility. National Servicemen are increasingly better educated. MINDEF will continue to modify their training to take advantage of this trend, and entrust them with more responsibilities.

MINDEF and Diplomacy

6. Singapore needs a stable regional environment to thrive. MINDEF will strengthen its network of bilateral relationships and multilateral arrangements with armed forces in ASEAN and other countries, including countries outside the region. We will continue to carry out joint exercises with friendly armed forces, and participate in multilateral arrangements such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

7. Because of the severe shortage of training areas in Singapore, the SAF must increasingly train overseas. MINDEF is constantly looking for overseas training opportunities. It will expand the scope of training in countries where the SAF already has facilities, and explore new arrangements in countries which welcome the SAF.

8. MINDEF will help Singapore play its role as a responsible member of the international community. To show support for and commitment to the United Nations, SAF personnel will continue to take part in UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Recently Singapore informed the United Nations that we will be contributing troops and equipment to the UN Standby Arrangements.

The SAF and Society

9. The SAF is not just a defence force, but a premier national institution. It plays a major role in strengthening social cohesion. Through National Service, the SAF imparts values, expertise and skills to every male citizen, which strengthen their bonds to Singapore and thereby contribute to nation-building.

10. This is the 30th year of National Service. National Servicemen form the backbone of the SAF. MINDEF will strengthen their commitment to National Service, both in Full-Time and Operationally Ready units, and their motivation to defend our nation. MINDEF has implemented many recommendations of the Second Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen in Total Defence (RECORD II). It will continue to explore more ways to recognise NSmen's contributions.

Singaporeans and Defence

11. Total Defence is the cornerstone of deterrence against external threats. Total Defence involves and unites all sectors of society in the defence of the nation. MINDEF will continue to stress Total Defence, to bring home to all Singaporeans that responsibility for Singapore's security rests not only on the SAF but on every citizen. All have a part to play in the nation's defence.