In face of 'hybrid warfare', SAF must constantly remake itself: Ng Eng Hen


SINGAPORE: The security threats the Republic is facing is constantly evolving - which is why the Singapore Armed Forces must constantly "remake itself" to ensure it is able to nullify the evolving threats the Republic could face, said Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.

At the Committee of Supply 2015 debate in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 5), Dr Ng highlighted the need to be able to take on hybrid warfare - which he described as an orchestrated campaign to fracture the solidarity of the target nation through undermining its defences in civil, economic, social, psychological and military spheres - as one such threat.

While a recent incarnation of "hybrid warfare" is the rise of the Islamic State, the concept of hybrid warfare "is as old as war itself", Dr Ng said.

"This is why we launched Total Defence in 1984. What is new is the amplification of dis-information due to social media. No country, including Singapore, is immune to this dis-information war," he said.

"The SAF will further leverage new technologies to respond to security challenges both externally and internally. New units for cyber defence are being raised. Better capabilities using infocomm technology, robotics and artificial intelligence are in the pipe-line for testing and integration into existing systems."

For example, the Navy is replacing Patrol Vessels with Littoral Mission Vessels; the Army will use new Protected Response Vehicles in place of the V200; while Super Pumas, which have been in use for almost 30 years, will be replaced over the next decade. Some new technology Singapore is exploring includes the use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Unmanned Surface Vessels to conduct security patrols.

All this points to a restructured SAF that is "leaner, more potent and versatile, without any loss of effectiveness", he told Parliament.

"PEOPLE REMAIN OUR GREATEST ASSET"

But even with advancing military techonology, servicemen - particularly National Servicemen - remain the SAF's greatest asset.

"Even with the most advanced military technologies and equipment, we constantly remind ourselves that our people remain our greatest and indispensable asset," said Dr Ng.

"It is ultimately the strong fighting spirit of our Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors, as well as the quality of leadership, that will allow the SAF to deter aggression and when that fails, prevail over potential aggressors. We cannot build an effective force without capable and committed servicemen, particularly NSmen who form the bulk of the SAF’s fighting force."

Dr Ng also emphasised the importance of building up a strong defence during a time of peace.

"Never take our peace for granted. Never weaken the strong defence that we have built up over the years through neglect and complacency. The time to build up a strong defence is during peace," he told Parliament.

"A strong deterrence is Singapore’s best defence. When danger is upon you, it will be too little and too late to build up a defence. Contrary to expectations that peace and stability one enjoys today will last, things can go wrong."

Asia Channel News