Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the Defence Technology Prize (DTP) to three individuals and three teams at the DTP award ceremony held at the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) this afternoon. Among them are individuals and teams from Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) agencies – including DSTA and DSO National Laboratories – and the defence industry.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Dr Ng said that neither the Defence Technology Community (DTC)^[1] nor the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can afford to rest on their laurels as new security challenges brought about by new and emerging technologies themselves confront us today. And in order to deal with new security challenges as well as maximise the use of technology, the Ops Tech relationship must become closer. “There is an essential ingredient for this seamless Ops Tech integration to occur and that seamless ingredient is trust. Here, I am glad that the DTC has won the trust of their SAF counterparts… You have won the trust. It was not given to you, you had to earn it.  And today’s winners exemplify why – in enhancing the security of our critical national infrastructure or delivering capable warfighting systems such as the Army’s Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle and the Navy’s Invincible-class submarines. Through common trials and successes, the SAF and DTC have built up trust and a deep understanding of each other,” said Dr Ng.

Lauding the DTC’s contributions, Dr Ng said that the community “has helped catapult the SAF to the front ranks of a modernised professional military, with a wide spectrum of capabilities.” He credited the scientists and engineers whose commitment, dedication and hard work have provided Singapore with a robust national defence. “These individual stories reflect different paths taken… But for all of them, a common passion and motivation that Singapore as a small country must make up for our lack of size and manpower through technological solutions, and gain an advantage through bold innovation and daring imagination,” added Dr Ng.

Established in 1989, the DTP is awarded annually to individuals and teams that have made significant technological contributions to the defence capability of Singapore. The DTP also serves to foster technological innovation and encourage breakthroughs in defence science and technology.