Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Defence in light of the falling total fertility rate in Singapore to 1.1 in 2020, how will the Singapore Armed Forces use technological advancement to ensure its forces continue to be formidable and mission-ready.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

MINDEF agrees with the honourable MP Christopher de Souza that Singapore's low fertility rates represent a significant structural challenge to the SAF in maintaining a strong national defence. The SAF has indeed recognised this as a core challenge some three decades ago by incorporating manpower requirements for all operations as a key strategic driver in formulating plans and procuring platforms. Strict discipline was applied to all units in the three Air, Land and Sea services such that processes were re-engineered to be able to function with fewer men or women, but at the same or even greater effectiveness.

These were bold and ambitious measures and forced a re-look across the entire SAF to leverage technology to improve manpower productivity. Many new platforms acquired had to satisfy stringent requirements for manpower. For example, the Army's recently-acquired TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar makes use of automation and reduces manpower requirements by 30 per cent compared with its predecessors, but with an increased detection range. Similarly, the Navy now uses new vessels for maritime surveillance and security in the Singapore Straits, which are unmanned.

As a result, today's modernised SAF is lean and effective. But this relentless drive to optimise manpower must continue. The SAF will have to incorporate advancements in robotics, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to further improve its work processes and raise productivity. Examples are the trialling of automated vehicles in our airbases to transport equipment and personnel along pre-programmed routes and AI-enabled drones to assess damage along runways.

Job re-design is also an important initiative to optimise our manpower resource. For example, the introduction of unmanned watchtowers has enabled servicemen previously exempted due to medical issues to now serve as security troopers for our camps and critical installations.

The SAF is determined that smaller cohorts due to the low total fertility rates will not compromise our national defence. Indeed, despite a smaller NS pool, the SAF continues to be an effective military force and a strong deterrent against any potential threat.