Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng,

Chief of Services,

Pioneers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF),

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Introduction

Thank you for joining us at the Singapore Discovery Centre today.

This year bears witness to a world gripped by ever greater geopolitical instability. 

Conflicts in the Middle East and Europe continue unabated, and the rise of cyber and drone warfare reflects the changing nature of global conflict. The rivalry between the US and China intensifies, alongside a shift from free trade to protectionism. Countries have turned inwards in the name of national security, giving rise to greater nationalism. 

Closer to home, our region is not spared from several persistent hotspots, including in Myanmar and the South China Sea.

This is the grim reality that ushers in Singapore’s diamond jubilee and the 60th year of the formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), or SAF 60.

Since independence, the SAF has reliably underpinned Singapore’s peace, security and prosperity. In today’s context, we have to ask ourselves the hard questions. 

Can the SAF continue to secure Singapore’s peace and prosperity in today’s fractious and uncertain geopolitical environment? 

Some say that the new world order has regressed to the days of ‘might is right’. Can the SAF still serve as an effective deterrent, and provide strategic space for diplomacy in this context?

As the SAF turns 60, can we continue to secure the mindshare and hearts of Singaporeans to commit to National Service and defend our homeland? 

The answers to these questions must be a resounding yes. Otherwise, there is no SAF to talk about, there is no peace and prosperity to talk about, there is no Singapore to talk about. The answers have to be yes, because this is about our home and our future. And the SAF will step up to them.

60 years is not a long time, compared to many militaries around the world. For the SAF, there many achievements and abilities that we can be proud of, which are showcased at the SAF60 exhibition today. 

Commitment, Innovation and the Support of Singaporeans. These are the three fundamental strengths that will drive the SAF’s strong momentum toward success. 

Commitment

First, Commitment. In 1965, we recognised the urgency of building up Singapore’s own defence capability, and we created the SAF virtually from scratch.

We had only two infantry battalions of 50 officers and some 1,000 men, and two ships. 

We thus established National Service from 1967 which drove home the message that it must be the responsibility of every citizen to defend the nation, and we began to grow our defence force and our capabilities. This took place in phases.

From what we now call the 1st Generation SAF, which focused on Singapore’s basic defence;

Through a 2nd Generation SAF focused on upgrading and modernising itself;

To a 3rd Generation SAF capable of combating new challenges.

Today, 60 years on, the SAF stands as a formidable force. We respond readily and effectively when called upon to protect Singapore’s interests and the people of Singapore, and engage in a wide range of local and overseas operations around the world and around-the-clock.

The SAF maintains 24/7 vigilance, conducting air surveillance and maritime patrols, and maintaining rapid deployment units to respond swiftly to any threats or emergencies.

In the digital domain, the SAF also conducts round the clock cyber defence operations alongside the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore to safeguard Singapore against cyber threats. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the SAF demonstrated its value to play different roles to keep the public safe, including packing and distributing masks, supporting contact tracing efforts ensuring compliance with quarantine measures, and repurposing some of our camps to serve as temporary community recovery facilities.

Beyond our shores, the SAF has contributed towards international security with deployments to support counter-terrorism, stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, to counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, as well as supporting efforts to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The SAF has also supported the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, to countries affected by natural disasters such as typhoons and bushfires.

Everything I have mentioned were possible only through the unwavering commitment and professionalism of different generations of servicemen and servicewomen, from past to present.

Innovation

Second, we move on to innovation. In today’s complex security environment characterised by rapid technological advancements and unconventional warfare tactics, the SAF continues to update our capabilities, strengthen our networks and fight as an integrated force, for 2040 and beyond.

Over the past year, the SAF has commissioned and operationalised two Invincible-class submarines, with another two to operationalised by 2028. As announced at Committee of Supply Debates this year, we plan to procure two more submarines this year, to bring our fleet to a steady state of six submarines.

We also confirmed the purchase of eight F-35As and twelve F-35Bs, and will introduce the “Titan, a new, wheeled infantry fighting vehicle with a 30mm cannon. 

These added capabilities for air, land, and sea, will transform our relatively small military into one comparable to advanced militaries elsewhere. This fits our security needs for today and the foreseeable future. 

We do not stop at conventional capabilities. The SAF is also organised and equipped to incorporate emerging technologies and capabilities to strengthen SAF’s operational readiness and effectiveness, as well as to defend against the expanded vulnerabilities from digitalisation under the cyber domain.

Last month, our Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) stood up two new commands – the SAF C4 and Digitalisation Command, and the Defence Cyber Command. 

They will, respectively, allow the SAF to prosecute its missions with the full effects of digital hardware and software, as well as deal with cybersecurity threats in partnership with Whole-of-Government and industry players. 

Additionally, unmanned platforms, especially drones, are also being employed at scale in ongoing conflicts today. The SAF is integrating these technologies into our force structures and operations, and building capabilities to counter these threats. Such that even recruits at Basic Military Training today will be trained on drones as well. So that tells you how fundamental such technologies will be going forward.

The RSAF is establishing the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Warfare and Tactics Centre, which will drive the integration of drones for the SAF’s military operations. 

The SAF Counter-UAS Development and Operations Group will also be set up, and will be the agency responsible to guard against this threat in collaboration with other government agencies.

Today, the RSN deploys Unmanned Surface Vessels to patrol Singapore waters for maritime threats, and our soldiers are equipped with drones to enhance their surveillance and targeting capabilities.  

The SAF will continue to innovate and reinvent ourself to keep Singapore ahead of evolving threats

Support of Singaporeans

Third, Support of Singaporeans. You can never fight alone without the support of Singaporeans. In light of recent conflicts, many countries, especially in Europe, are reconsidering or reintroducing conscription. Singapore’s support for our defence and security through serving National Service cannot be understated. 

In the words of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, we send a powerful signal to the world when every generation of Singaporeans steps forward readily to answer the call of duty, and show that they are always ready to defend our home.

Besides fathers and sons for whom National Service has become a significant rite of passage, we are grateful for the support from other family members, including mothers and spouses, whose contributions at the home front enable our servicemen and servicewomen to fulfil their national duty wholeheartedly. This is really a whole of Singapore effort.

It is also heartening to see Singaporeans taking shared responsibility for Singapore’s national security, through the spirit of Total Defence. Over 1,200 organisations from across the public, private, and community sectors join the SAF as a whole-of-society to participate in the second run of Exercise SG Ready in February this year. 

Over 600 organisations took the opportunity to exercise their business continuity plans in the face of simulated disruptions such as power outages and cyberattacks. 

Close to 200 organisations also took part in a coordinated phishing exercise to enhance their readiness against malicious actors. 

Singapore stands stronger when our people, our communities, and our businesses are ready to face and respond to national security challenges alongside the SAF. We are grateful for the steadfast support from all Singaporeans throughout these years. 

Conclusion

In closing, I want to thank the Defence Collective Singapore for putting together an exhibition for the occasion of SAF60, bringing to the fore what lay behind the SAF’s success in defending our nation over the past 60 years. I would also like to thank all our veterans for taking the time today, because your contributions over the year have also laid our foundations to build the SAF to what it is today. 

So, I look forward to the SAF60 exhibition embarking on a journey throughout our island in the coming months. This is a powerful opportunity to bring the stories behind the SAF’s success closer to every Singaporean, highlighting how commitment, innovation and public support have built the strong defence that we rely on today. 

I also want to call on Singaporeans to actively participate in the various SAF60 activities planned for the rest of the year. Let us celebrate our armed forces, deepen our appreciation of what it takes to keep Singapore safe, and reaffirm that protecting our home is a responsibility that we all share.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and congratulations to the SAF on her 60th anniversary. Thank you so much.