SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES
• After separation in 1965, Sgp was faced with the
  challenge of raising a defence force
• We could not afford a large professional army
  given our population of less than 2 million then
• Manpower was also needed in factories and
  industries
• We did not have the finances to support a
  professional army anyway

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES
• Dr Goh Keng Swee was given the task of creating a
  competent defence force
• 1967 National Service (NS) was introduced
• All 18-year-old able-bodied male citizens were
  called up for part-time or full-time NS
• These citizen soldiers were trained and commanded
  by a small regular force

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES
• For Sgp, NS play a significant role in nation
  building
• Through it, Singaporeans learn to defend our
  country
• NS training is a good way of bonding together
  common experience during training
• Develop a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a
  shared destiny

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES
• Upon completion of full-time NS, the men undergo
  training for 13 years for a maximum of 40 days a
  year
• Refresher training To maintain competence in
  handling new weapons and equipment, to learn new
  tactics of war
• Ensures that they are ready to defend Singapore
  at ALL times
• Through NS, an effective SAF is produced despite
  our small size and population

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• A CITIZEN ARMED FORCES
• 1965 50 officers, 1,000 men and 2 small naval
  vessels
• Today The Army, the RSAF and the RSN
• Singapore needed time to build an armed force
  strong enough to preserve our independence and
  ensure our survival
• 1965 to 82 Concentrated on military defence
• 1983 Civil Defence included
• 1984 Total Defence part of defence policy

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• TOTAL DEFENCE (TD)
• Readiness to defend its independence and survival
  is vital to any independent country
• Modern wars involve the entire population
• Sgp prepares its citizens for its defence and
  security
• Through TD, the whole population has a part to
  play in ensuring Sgps security

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• TOTAL DEFENCE (TD)
• This deters potential aggressors as all
  Singaporeans are prepared for defence in all
  areas
• Any potential enemy will have to take on the SAF
  as well as the entire population
• We hope this will deter the enemy
• TD is therefore part of our self-reliance

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• SINGAPORES DEFENCE INDUSTRIES
• Why our own defence industries?
• To design weapons and military equipment suited
  to our own needs
• Our soldiers will then be able to fight more
  efficiently and effectively
• In the early years, Sgp faced a shortage of
  equipment and weapons
• Had to wait a long time for weapons to arrive
• Many were unsuitable for Sgps needs

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• SINGAPORES DEFENCE INDUSTRIES
• Why our own defence industries?
• Countries unwilling to share defence technology
• Eg Electronic warfare
• Involves building an electronic shield around
  aircraft, ships and fighting vehicles to protect
  them from incoming threats
• We have to develop our own defence technology

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• SINGAPORES DEFENCE INDUSTRIES
• SDI made up of a few companies eg DTG (Defence
  Technology Group)
• Responsible for building up the fighting
  capabilities of the SAF
• Maintenance of weapon systems and equipment in
  the best possible conditions
• Also produce essential supplies of ammunition
• All these help to ensure that SAF is ready to
  defend Sgp at ALL times
• SDI enabled Sgp to overcome its problems through
  innovations

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• SINGAPORES DEFENCE INDUSTRIES
• SDI able to modify and upgrade the performance of
  weapons and military equipment
• SAF upgrades its existing equipment if it is
  cost-effective
• Eg A-4 Skyhawks upgraded with new and more
  powerful engines
• To be an effective fighting force, the armed
  forces must use the latest technology andf
  equipment
• SDI helps SAF to be self-reliant in essential
  defence weapons and equipment

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• MILITARY CO-OPERATION
• Sgp fosters friendly ties with armed forces of
  other countries
• Shortage of suitable training areas
• - Sgp makes training arrangements with friendly
  countries
• Bilateral and multilateral defence exercises
• Involves training and interacting with armed
  forces of participating countries
• Sgp troops train in the jungles, make battle
  plans and practise on the seas during defence
  exercises

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• Bilateral Defence Exercises and Training
• Sgp conducts exercises with ASEAN countries,
  Australia, NZ, India, Taiwan and USA
• Increases co-operation and strengthens ties among
  participating countries
• Australia offers vast areas of open land for
  the training of the RSAF
• RSAF operates a Jet Flying Training School in
  Western Australia
• Aug 1998 RSAF set up new training facility in
  Queensland
• Australia agreed to allow RSAF to train there for
  15 years
• RSAF pilots, air crew and maintenance specialists
  will hone their skills as they will be exercising
  in an area 10 times the size of Singapore

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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE
Armour training in Australia
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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• Multilateral Defence Exercises
• FPDA (Five Power Defence Arrangements)
• Formed in 1971 to preserve peace in the region
• In the event of an external threat to Singapore
  or Malaysia, the members are to consult one
  another on the appropriate measures to be taken
• Could be carried out jointly or separately
• Although Sgps defence capabilities have improved
  since the 1970s, FPDA continues to be relevant

HMNZS Te Kaha sailing from Devonport Naval Base
for ports in the South West Pacific and South
East Asia, as part of New Zealand's annual
contribution to the Five Power Defence
Arrangement.
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SINGAPORE AND ITS USE OF DETERRENCE

• CONCLUSION
• Diplomacy and deterrence has made Singapore
  confident of meeting any threats to its
  independence
• Poison shrimp? Puffer fish?
• Building a strong defence requires the commitment
  of the people and government
• It is also costly
• We can finance our defence only if Singapore
  develops its economy and is financially sound
• The next chapter will see how we do this