Introduction
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has come a long way since she was first established in 1965. The SAF became a conscript armed force in 1967 and started off with two infantry battalions and three Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ships (Mindef, 2017). The Republic of Singapore Airforce (RSAF) was formed in 1968 with eight aircrafts to train the pilots (Mindef, 2017). During the 1960s, the priority was to build the foundation for Singapore’s defence (Mindef, 2017). Today, as technology has evolved rapidly, the SAF has to re-strategise her plans and operations to advance the effectiveness of her military. Technology has given SAF crucial advantages in her abilities to conduct joint operations, achieve mission success even with lesser …show more content…
The advancement of technology has given the SAF the abilities to conduct joint operations such as tri-service exercises, humanitarian relief, peacekeeping and anti-piracy (Mindef, 2017). The operations are not restricted within Singapore or Southeast Asia, but also take place in the United States, New Zealand, Afghanistan, etc (Mindef, 2017). On 26 December 2004, when a massive tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit many countries in Asia, it took only 3 days for the SAF to plan and execute her humanitarian efforts. The SAF was the first to reach Meulaboh in Indonesia, one of the worst-hit areas (Mindef, 2017). It was the first joint operations within the three services and the largest in scale at that point of time (Boey, 2005). The SAF’s specialised equipment like the RSAF Super Pumas, C-130s, Fokker-50s, Chinooks and the RSN Landing Ship Tanks (LST) played important roles during the operation. Technology has given the SAF the edge to transport men, equipment and supplies to the disaster-hit areas in the shortest possible time (Liew, 2005). The SAF has proven to the world that she is able to conduct large-scale joint operations (Boey, …show more content…
Singapore, being a small city-state or the “little red dot”, has no natural resources; our people and our relentless pursuit for effective and innovative ideas are essential factors in enabling us to deter aggression. Technology has transformed SAF from a 1st Generation force to one that is not to be reckoned with within the region today. By staying agile, remaining relevant in the region, and continually reviewing and improving her processes and doctrines, the SAF is able to conduct large-scale joint operations, achieve precise firepower both offensively and defensively and reduce the attrition rate of our soldiers arising from injury. Advanced military equipment requiring lesser manpower to operate will remain a crucial asset to the SAF. Being a conscript army that is facing a backdrop of low and declining birth rates, any injury or death of soldier engenders a significant impact on her Social Defence – numbers aside, public faith in the safety of SAF’s peacetime training may also waver. All in all, by continually adopting and formulating newer military technology that plays to our strengths and makes up for our shortfalls, the SAF is likely to remain a formidable force in deterring
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has come a long way since she was first established in 1965. The SAF became a conscript armed force in 1967 and started off with two infantry battalions and three Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ships (Mindef, 2017). The Republic of Singapore Airforce (RSAF) was formed in 1968 with eight aircrafts to train the pilots (Mindef, 2017). During the 1960s, the priority was to build the foundation for Singapore’s defence (Mindef, 2017). Today, as technology has evolved rapidly, the SAF has to re-strategise her plans and operations to advance the effectiveness of her military. Technology has given SAF crucial advantages in her abilities to conduct joint operations, achieve mission success even with lesser …show more content…
The advancement of technology has given the SAF the abilities to conduct joint operations such as tri-service exercises, humanitarian relief, peacekeeping and anti-piracy (Mindef, 2017). The operations are not restricted within Singapore or Southeast Asia, but also take place in the United States, New Zealand, Afghanistan, etc (Mindef, 2017). On 26 December 2004, when a massive tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit many countries in Asia, it took only 3 days for the SAF to plan and execute her humanitarian efforts. The SAF was the first to reach Meulaboh in Indonesia, one of the worst-hit areas (Mindef, 2017). It was the first joint operations within the three services and the largest in scale at that point of time (Boey, 2005). The SAF’s specialised equipment like the RSAF Super Pumas, C-130s, Fokker-50s, Chinooks and the RSN Landing Ship Tanks (LST) played important roles during the operation. Technology has given the SAF the edge to transport men, equipment and supplies to the disaster-hit areas in the shortest possible time (Liew, 2005). The SAF has proven to the world that she is able to conduct large-scale joint operations (Boey, …show more content…
Singapore, being a small city-state or the “little red dot”, has no natural resources; our people and our relentless pursuit for effective and innovative ideas are essential factors in enabling us to deter aggression. Technology has transformed SAF from a 1st Generation force to one that is not to be reckoned with within the region today. By staying agile, remaining relevant in the region, and continually reviewing and improving her processes and doctrines, the SAF is able to conduct large-scale joint operations, achieve precise firepower both offensively and defensively and reduce the attrition rate of our soldiers arising from injury. Advanced military equipment requiring lesser manpower to operate will remain a crucial asset to the SAF. Being a conscript army that is facing a backdrop of low and declining birth rates, any injury or death of soldier engenders a significant impact on her Social Defence – numbers aside, public faith in the safety of SAF’s peacetime training may also waver. All in all, by continually adopting and formulating newer military technology that plays to our strengths and makes up for our shortfalls, the SAF is likely to remain a formidable force in deterring