Deterrence in Singapore

Citizen Armed Force

Singapore was unable to afford large professional army in 1965

Population of less than 2 million needed for workforce
o Limited manpower
Build a citizen armed force though enlisting able-bodied men into
army
1n 1967, NS was introduced
Abled-bodied male citizens called up to serve full-time NS
Singaporeans learnt to defend their country
NS men bond together
o Sharing common experience
Build sense of loyalty, patriotism, shared destiny for Singapore
Upon completion of full-time NS, they continue to serve as
Operational Ready NS
o 10 years for max 40 days per year
Undergo refresher courses to maintain competence in handing new
weapons and equipment
Learn new tactics of war
LINK:
o Can now depend on ourselves to defend Singapore
o Deter potential aggressors as they know they force a strong
armed force
o Less likely to attack us

3rd Generation Singapore Armed Forces

Important for SAF to consistently enhance its capabilities and

reviews its method of warfare through research and development
SAF started a project with research institutes of MOD and local
universities
o To develop 3G SAF
Maximizing defensive capabilities through modern technology
Equips soldiers to fight decisively in war and respond flexibly in
peacetime
LINK:
o Aims to create an intelligent defence force
o Surveillance striker systems of the Air force, navy and Army
would help to destroy the enemy before they locate us

Singapores Defence industry

Essential for an army to use latest technology and equipment

o Develop into an effective fighting force
Singapore build up its own defense industry to enable SAF to be
self-reliant in essential defence weapons and equipment
Defence industry started in 1967 when Chartered Industries of
Singapore( CIS) was established to produce small arms ammunition

o Now developed into a successful defence company

Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) was formed in 2000
o Provide cost effective and modern technology to SAF and
MOD
o Focuses on buying and upgrading weapons as well as
developing new weapon systems
o Conducts defence-related research and development
activities with other countries and local tertiary institutions
o LINK:
Improves capability and effectiveness of SAF
Enabled Singapore to develop a powerful defense
Overcome its constraints through innovations

Total defence

Civil Defence
o Knowing what to do during civil emergencies
o Being Vigilant and alert at all times
o E.g. 15 March 1986, collapse of Hotel New World
Hundreds of personnel of Singapore civil Defence and
trained Singapore volunteers worked together to
rescue survivors
Many volunteers came forward to help, despite risk of
injury
Many Civil Defence volunteers even without being
mobilized
Economic Defence
o Singaporeans required to cope and adjust to changing
demands
o Constant need to upgrade skills of workers
o Singapore Workforce development Agency (WDA) formed in
2003
Works with other agencies such as labour unions and
professional associations to support industry growth
and upgrades skills of workers
o Allow Singapore to remain competitive
o Remain employable in competitive economy
Social Defence
o Many organizations and community groups such as
Community Development Councils (CDCs), schools and the
Inter-Racial Confidence Circle (IRCC) are actively involved in
strengthening social ties.
Emergency preparedness exercises, visits to places of
worship of different faiths and inter-faith dialogues and
workshops
o LINK:
Ensures that unity will not be broken during testing
situations such as terrorist attacks
Psychological Defence

Having pride and loyalty and wanting to stand up to defend

Singapore
o Having the well and mental strength to overcome challenges
o E.g. SARs period in 2003
Ordinary people managed to overcome the challenge
of SARS and believed in Singapore.
General LINK for Total Defence:
Total Defence is an effective deterrence measure because it
provides a comprehensive and integrated response to all kinds
of threats and challenges. When all Singaporeans believe that
Singapore is worth defending, Total Defence will be effective.
Potential aggressors will think twice about attacking us, knowing
that they face the entire nation and not just the armed forces.
o

Military co-operation with other countries

Actively fosters friendly ties with the armed forces of other

countries
Conducted through bilateral and multilateral military agreements,
joint military exercises, training programmes and participation in
the UN peace missions

Bilateral military agreements and exercises

Military agreements with various countries to allow Singapore

troops to train in their countries
o France, Australia, New Zealand and India
Conducts regular military training with neighboring countries
o Malaysia and Indonesia
o Increase cooperation and strengthen ties among participating
countries

Multi-lateral military agreements and exercises

E.g. Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) established in 1971

o Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia and New
Zealand
o Conduct exercises each year to enhance cooperation and
coordination
LINK:
o Members would consult one another on appropriate measure
to deter aggressor in the event of an external threat
o Deter potential aggressors from attacking the five nations

General LINK for military exercises:

Military exercises allow the SAF to gain more experience and

become more powerful. Most importantly, cooperation and
coordination between Singapore and other countries are
strengthened. They would be willing to assist one another in the

event of any external threats and can work together to combat

terrorism. It is effective against aggression because the other
countries would help Singapore when we face external threats. With
such cooperation, potential aggressors are less likely to attack us.
Possible conclusion:
Factors: Total Defence, Citizen armed force, Military co-operation with
other countries
In conclusion, Total Defence is the most effective against aggression. This
is because defence should not only involve the armed forces. By getting
the entire nation to be involved in Singapores defence efforts through
Total Defence, Singaporeans will understand that our security cannot be
granted and they would be resilient as a nation to combat any form of
aggression. On the other hand, a citizen armed force only covers military
defence, which is not enough because it does not involve all Singaporeans
in the defence of their own country.