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Ministry Of Defence: Addendum To The President's Address |
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(Source : Singapore Ministry of Information; issued April 2, 2002)
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 by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence
A strong defence is the foundation for Singapore's peace, security and prosperity. The events of September 11 and the uncovering of Al Qaeda-linked terrorist cells in Singapore are important reminders that we must not take this for granted.
Defence and Deterrence
We must work together as a nation to deal effectively with non-conventional threats and new security challenges, including low intensity conflict and global terrorism. The SAF will broaden its capabilities and work in close coordination with other security agencies to deal with these threats. The National Security Secretariat will develop a more coherent and integrated approach to ensuring Singapore's national security.
We must also continue to maintain and strengthen our capabilities to defend ourselves against conventional security threats. We have built up a strong, integrated and technologically advanced armed forces. We will continue to upgrade and modernise the SAF to ensure that it continues to have the capabilities to defend Singapore against the full spectrum of potential threats:
Technology:
The SAF will continue to harness technology as a force multiplier, so that it can maintain its strategic edge despite its manpower and resource constraints. The restructuring of MINDEF's technology arm and formation of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) has enabled MINDEF to better anticipate and exploit future trends and challenges in the technology sector. MINDEF will continue to strengthen the SAF's technological edge and invest to develop our home-grown defence research and development capability as well as deepen our collaboration with international R&D agencies.
Training:
MINDEF will ensure that our people are trained and developed to achieve their fullest potential, and to be mentally and physically equipped to defend Singapore. The SAF will continue to improve its training procedures and methodologies to provide our servicemen with the best training available. The SAF will also continue to benchmark itself against the best armed forces in the world, and validate and refine its training system. To optimise training efficiency, the SAF will increasingly utilise simulation technology to provide realistic and cost-effective training locally.
The SAF needs to train overseas given our limited local training areas and airspace. MINDEF will continue to maintain and enhance our access to traditional training areas, as well as to look for more overseas training opportunities in friendly countries.
People:
The strength of the SAF lies in its people. To ensure that the most able and dedicated serve in the defence of our nation, MINDEF will regularly review its manpower policies to maintain its attractiveness and competitive edge in the labour market as an employer of choice.
National Service:
Our national servicemen form the backbone of the SAF. MINDEF will continue to review its NS training and policies to ensure that our national servicemen are motivated, well trained and prepared to defend the nation. A review committee has been set up to examine how the NS system and NS policies can be improved. MINDEF will also implement the recommendations made by the 3rd Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD III).
Diplomacy
The new security challenges facing the world today transcend national borders, and need to be tackled through global and regional cooperation. MINDEF will continue to foster good defence relations with friendly countries and contribute to efforts to promote international peace and stability.
Bilateral Defence Relations:
MINDEF will continue to deepen and widen our network of bilateral defence relations with countries both in and outside the region. We will continue to explore new ways of cooperation to enhance the security of Singapore and the region.
Multilateral Arrangements:
MINDEF will strengthen dialogue, confidence-building and cooperation with countries in the region and beyond, by promoting multilateral defence interactions and exercises. MINDEF will also continue to participate actively in regional multilateral arrangements, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Five Power Defence Arrangements, to enhance peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
UN Missions:
MINDEF will support Singapore's role as a responsible member of the international community. The SAF will continue to participate in UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions where we can make a useful contribution. MINDEF will also contribute to the role that Singapore plays in the UN Security Council.
Total Defence
Total Defence has been a useful framework to deal with our security challenges in a unified and well-coordinated way, through the efforts of Singaporeans in every sector of society. Total Defence becomes increasingly important as Singapore prepares to meet a more diverse range of threats. MINDEF will continue to promote Total Defence through our national education efforts. Singaporeans must always remember that we can never take the peace, stability and prosperity that we now enjoy for granted.
-ends-
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