MINDEF COS (2016) SPEECHES
Minister Ng Eng Hen
8 April 20161
Each generation of Singaporeans will have to confront their own security threats. The founding
generation did not have it easy. Indeed, the 1960s and 1970s, as he said, were tumultuous times
in Asia and, especially, for Southeast Asia. Whether it was Konfrontasi or the ideological battles
against communism and communalism, these contests often led to violence or subversion. And
because Southeast Asian states were newly-minted nations in the 1960s and 1970s, only recently
freed from their colonial past, individual nations were more preoccupied with their national
agendas, rather than cooperating as a region.
Geopolitics today has improved, and we talked about ASEAN. ASEAN is an accepted regional
community in international dynamics. ASEAN has good growth and strong relations with other
countries. But despite this progress, as Members have said, challenges exist. What happens in
some other part of the world, occurs very far away but comes closer to home, whether it is
terrorism or technological warfare. There have been numerous developments recently in the
South China Sea, more terrorist attacks, and a sophisticated cyber-attack involving the US Federal
Reserve.
What are the main security threats to Singapore, and how significant are they when compared to
previous years? How is the SAF responding to these threats? How can we keep Singapore and
Singaporeans safe? How prepared are we? These are all important questions that can change our
lives here irrevocably. The consequences of failure will be great. So, I intend to answer these
questions in the course of this reply for the COS.
Increasingly Complex and Volatile Security Environment
Terrorism
The clear and present threat upon us is terrorism. As of now, there is no specific intelligence of
any imminent plot against Singapore, but the general assessment by our intelligence agencies
indicates that almost all cities are likely targets, including Singapore. Members here already know
of attacks in other cities in the past 18 months - Paris, Sydney, San Bernardino, Istanbul, Bangkok,
Jakarta, Brussels and, most recently, Lahore. A few months later, you may have to add more cities
to that list. Threat levels for Singapore from ISIS are higher than those posed by Al-Qaeda (AQ)
and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) when they were active. So, if you'd like a simple number, what AlQaeda was able to attract - both sympathisers and operatives - in the last 10 years, ISIS has already
Ng Eng Hen, “Gearing Up for Troubled Peace,” Speech at 2016 Committee of Supply Debate on 11 Apr 2016 (excerpts; accessed 10 Jan
2017) https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/sp/2016/07apr16_speech1.html#.WHS3glV96Uk.
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exceeded the number in the last three years. So our assessment is that the threat levels from ISIS
are higher than that from AQ and JI. Let me explain our reasons for this assessment.
ISIS Has Greater Means
First, ISIS has greater means. ISIS controls territories and oil fields in Iraq and Syria from which
they can draw resources to fund tens of thousands of fighters and further its goals. ISIS even uses
drones for its operations, like a military. In fact, they are a military. They can orchestrate and
coordinate attacks far away, as they did in Paris, Brussels or even near us, Jakarta. Their tentacles
can reach far. Just this week, the Malaysian Police revealed that ISIS had allocated around
S$100,000 to Katibah Nusantara. It is a Malay Archipelago Combat Unit, and ISIS had given them
S$100,000 to finance terrorist attacks and bombings in Southeast Asia.
ISIS operatives and sympathisers have already formed networks in our region, as some Members
have observed. In the past year, close to a thousand people from Southeast Asia have travelled to
Iraq and Syria to join the fight, including Singaporeans. And more have been radicalised without
even travelling to the Middle East. Most recently, four Singaporeans were prevented from joining
the armed conflicts in the Middle East. As you have pointed out, returning fighters will bring
back their extremist ideology, share their experience in weapons, explosives and actual fighting.
In addition, we know that they have linked up with existing cells, like the JI offshoot, Jamaah
Ansharut Tauhid, and Abu Sayyaf. Greater means, as I said.
ISIS Has Motive
Second, ISIS has motive. In our region, ISIS has declared its mission to establish a wilayat, a
"caliphate", and Katibah Nusantara is leading the charge. This central ideology of a Southeast
Asian "caliphate" binds Islamic militants who have already set up training camps in Sulawesi,
Aceh and in the Southern Philippines. Even the Uighurs are known to have joined a training
camp in Sulawesi, led by the Indonesian militant, Santoso. In this narrative, Singapore is an
attractive target. Last year, ISIS named Singapore among the "enemies of the Islamic State" and
called on followers to wage jihad against us.
ISIS Has Opportunity
Third, ISIS has opportunity. Every shopping mall, every crowded place is an opportunity for
violent extremists to target innocent civilians and cause as much suffering and mayhem as
possible. ISIS operatives and sympathisers, especially what we call "clean skins" - those with no
prior criminal record - can travel and smuggle components of arms and explosives. Changi
Airport received over 55 million passengers last year, and many more crossed land and sea
checkpoints of Singapore. MHA has stepped up security checks, but the terrorists only need to
succeed once.
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Under these circumstances, can Singapore - or for that matter any city - guarantee its residents
that no extremist attack will occur? I think the answer is an obvious one. Only a foolish or
complacent Government will provide that false sense of security. Instead, we must step up our
defences, bring our citizens into confidence, and more importantly confront this threat and
prepare to deal with the aftermath together. I will elaborate on how the SAF will respond to this.
Asia’s Security is in Flux
We must be mindful of the trajectory of state-to-state relations surrounding us. Disputes in the
South China Sea and East China Sea are increasing. They are symptomatic of a more powerful
dynamic of strategic rivalry and rising nationalism. This state of flux, different from post-World
War II and the Cold War is creating tension. This dynamic will stress existing military cooperation
and alliances, international agreements or laws, even the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS). Let me give a few examples.
On a regular basis, Japanese fighter jets scramble in response to the People's Liberation Army
(PLA) military aircraft that enter Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The PLA planes
are flying into disputed airspace around the Diao Yu/Senkaku Islands. So the Japanese would
have to respond and they scrambled. It is a common occurrence.
An example close to home: the Indonesian Government has also taken a hard-line stance against
illegal fishing in its Exclusive Economic Zones. Since Indonesian President Joko Widodo took
office in 2014, Indonesia has confiscated and destroyed approximately 150 foreign fishing boats.
In addition to a diplomatic protest, Indonesia has since announced plans to deploy fighter jets to
the Natuna Islands. Supposedly as a show of strength, military ships of the Indonesian National
Defence Forces (TNI) are used to blow up these merchant vessels.
So as we observe these incidents occurring at an increasing regularity, we have to remember that
they occur against the backdrop of Asia's highest military spending ever. In fact, collectively, Asia
has spent more on its defence than Europe, in absolute dollars, since 2012. We have exceeded
Europe. Rising nationalism and improving economies have fuelled many Asian countries to
spend larger and larger sums to modernise their militaries. In itself this is not wrong, but with
more capable militaries, miscalculations or missteps can precipitate serious tensions and even
physical conflicts.
Responding to our Security Challenges
So as you look around at our security challenges, this troubled peace around us reaffirms our
policy on steady and prudent defence spending. Singapore too could have gone down the path
of European countries to reap our own "peace dividend", because the threat of Communism had
waned, and you see ASEAN progressing. But if we had been so lulled into that complacent mood,
under-invested in defence capabilities, then, just like countries such as Finland or the Baltic states,
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I think we would have regretted it now and rushed to catch up. But, we avoided spikes or dips
in our defence spending and maintained a strong SAF. Even as our population ages and social
spending increases, we must maintain steady defence spending because that is the most effective
way to stretch every defence dollar.
For MINDEF, we buy only what the SAF needs and after a robust and stringent evaluation
process. Our first preference is to upgrade existing platforms, if we can do it. So for example, like
the F-16s, we are going to upgrade them. We only buy new equipment if Singapore needs them
to maintain that defence edge. Our defence expenditure has roughly kept pace with inflation,
growing by about 4 percent annually in nominal terms over the past decade.
Gearing Up For Troubled Peace
Indeed, some scholars and even world leaders have suggested that the face of "war" has already
changed and is upon us. According to them, unlike in the past when wars were fought in specific
localities, today's conflicts are increasingly borderless, and occurs wave after wave. So against
extremism, first there was Al-Qaeda, 9/11 – that was weakened. Now, ISIS. But if ISIS is defeated,
I believe another group will rise to take its place. It may not be in Iraq and Syria, but there are a
host of failed states that an extremist group can gain a geographical foothold and take the
resources, whether it is Libya or other countries. In cyber-attacks and biological pandemics,
ground zero can be anywhere. We are worried about bird flu in Indonesia. For SARs, it was in
some part of the world. Zika virus can arise anywhere, and spread far very quickly. This troubled
peace, according to this new narrative, is the new normal in our globalised world.
Hybrid warfare is the antithesis of Total Defence. Hybrid Warfare is an orchestrated campaign to
weaken and fracture the solidarity of a target nation. According to this doctrine, the aggressor
targets a specific country or countries, and undertakes a long-term campaign to undermine the
civil, economic, social, psychological, and military defences - that is the equivalent of our Total
Defence. For example, ISIS employs hybrid warfare skilfully and exploits social media in
sophisticated ways to target the young and innocent. And even online games, which seemingly
are innocent, are used to socialise youngsters to their cause, and the shocking propaganda videos
of beheadings and burning people go viral and attract more sympathisers.
Members have talked about cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks are integral parts of hybrid warfare. Last
December, unidentified hackers attacked Ukraine's power grid and disrupted electricity to a large
part of the country for hours. Adversaries can therefore cripple key operating systems of target
countries, steal their state and people's secrets, invade the hearts and minds of people, all without
stepping foot onto their soil. And Singapore is particularly susceptible to hybrid threats, because
we are an open economy and connected to the world.
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The SAF – Ready to Defend Singapore
Stepping up for Counter-terrorism
Since 9/11, the SAF has stood up task forces to deal with peacetime threats. These task forces are
geared up in a high readiness posture, fully manned to respond quickly even with little warning.
The Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) is drawn from the Commandos, the Naval Diving Unit
and assets across the three Services, and they will be our first responders, our SAF's first
responders, in counter-terrorism and other contingency operations. There is another task force
for homeland security, and this is called the Island Defence Task Force. And its operation is to
safeguard our homeland security with active and NS servicemen protecting key installations. You
would have seen them if you are in Changi Airport, if you are working in Jurong Island,
Sembawang Wharves. They regularly conduct patrols with the Home Team, and because they
are tasked to deal with real threats, they are armed and given clear rules of engagement.
At sea, the Maritime Security Task Force protects our waterways, and the Air Defence Task Force
keeps a close watch over our skies. And after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, our response plans were
again strengthened to tighten our linkages with home-front and other government agencies.
We have assessed, as we said, the rising threat of terrorism, and in the next few months, the SAF
will re-double our efforts to gear up for counter-terrorism. First, studying what happened in Paris,
Jakarta and Brussels, the SAF will enhance its incident response. The SOTF must have the
capability to respond even faster when activated, and have the means to neutralise armed
attackers, in addition to hostage rescue. The SAF is working with our defence engineers and
scientists to equip these special forces with better tactical sensors like micro-UAVs, perhaps small
enough to fit in your palm and well-suited for urban terrain. We will continue to develop new
technologies and tools that will give the SAF an edge in this fight against terror.
In this, working with the Home Team closely and seamlessly is crucial if we are to bring to bear
the full strength of our security capabilities. The SAF is working closely to share intelligence and
develop joint operational command systems. We are conducting more joint exercises together.
Second, more SAF units will be trained to take on a wider range of security tasks. We do not
assume that attacks will only be carried out by lone-wolves or wolf packs - smaller groups, like
those which occurred in Jakarta. We must be able to deal with orchestrated attacks, like those
which occurred in Paris and Brussels, where airports, MRT stations, shopping malls and town
centres are targeted simultaneously. And to deal with these scenarios, more SAF units will be
trained to conduct deterrence patrols, even in populous areas. These units will be better equipped
to perform their tasks. So for example, we commissioned last year, the Peacekeeper Protected
Response Vehicle, which will give our responders greater mobility, protection, and more precise
firepower to deal decisively with threats.
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How do we train? For SAF soldiers to competently undertake this range of missions, we will have
to continue to invest in new and realistic training facilities. The SAF has decided to build a new
high-density urban training facility, and this will have features such as high-rise buildings, mockup transport nodes, complex road networks. And that will provide a highly realistic training
ground for counter-terrorism, as well as conventional urban operations.
Beyond our homeland response here, we need to address this threat at its source - because only
when the source of the threat and recruitment is diminished or eradicated, that the situation here
can improve. If we did not address or diminish the capability of Al-Qaeda, more cells like JI
would have flourished. And this is why Singapore has been involved in multinational counterterrorism operations since 2007, first against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and now against ISIS.
Maintaining Our Deterrence
Even as the SAF gears up for troubled peace and the present threat of terrorism, the SAF will
continue to conduct realistic exercises on a high tempo to maintain a strong deterrence. We need
the places, as we do in the US in Exercise Forging Sabre, and Exercise Wallaby in Australia and
Exercise Cope Tiger in Thailand, not only to validate our systems, but in joint exercises to
benchmark our own capabilities, and to show others our capabilities. Because when the SAF is
able to perform in exercises, people will take us seriously.
Without technology, we cannot multiply our efforts. First of all, we will introduce a new SAF
Engineering Scholarship to attract bright young individuals with the interest and commitment to
join the SAF as military engineers. This is important because they will form the next generation
of leaders in our engineering corps to ensure we maintain an edge in defence technology.
We will continue to refresh and upgrade platforms at a sustainable pace. The Navy is acquiring
eight versatile Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) to replace our long-serving Patrol Vessels. The
first LMV, Independence, was launched in July last year, and is expected to be operational by
early next year. We have two new Type 218SG submarines. It will replace the ageing Challengerclass submarines, which should be commissioned by 2020. This year, the Army will also launch
a new Protected Combat Support Vehicle to provide better protection and mobility for our
supporting troops. For the RSAF, our Super Pumas and some of our older Chinooks are aging
and will need to be replaced. We are finalising our evaluations and expect the new RSAF
helicopters soon. For the F-16s, as I have said, we are upgrading them with more advanced radars,
the advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, and air-to-ground weapons.
For the SAF, what we set up recently was a Cyber Defence Operations Hub (CDOH). We will
double the headcount by 2020. Cyber intrusions occur daily in the hundreds of thousands or
millions of network event logs. You use algorithms; you use smart software, to try to remove the
bulk of them and identify suspected intrusions. What you are worried about is a cyber-attack,
things that can burrow into your systems, steal your secrets or have a trigger at a particular time
to render you defenceless. There is "security by design". You design your security into your
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networks even as you build them. For the SAF, we expect to use more artificial intelligence and
big data analytics to detect and respond to cyber threats. This includes hardware infrastructure.
There will also be substantial investment into developing more and better trained cyber defence
personnel. The SAF will work closely with the national CSA on this front.
Building Enduring Partnerships
We continue to build enduring partnerships to strengthen regional security. We continue to build
good ties with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and TNI, the Indonesian National Defence
Forces. We will also be celebrating the 40th anniversary of our defence relations with Brunei this
year. Last December, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and I concluded the enhanced
Defence Cooperation Agreement. The agreement updates and deepens our defence ties to cover
non-conventional security areas, such as counter-terrorism, biosecurity and cyber defence. It is
that close relations with the US that have given us access to much-needed training space and
high-end defence technology. So whether it is our F-16, F-15, Chinook or Apache helicopters, our
pilots train extensively in the US and are given access to training areas many times the size of
Singapore.
With China, we agreed on a Four-Point Consensus for our military ties in 2014. One of the Points
was to "promote confidence building … and strengthen practical cooperation". With China, we
introduced a new bilateral naval exercise series named Maritime Cooperation last year. We will
build on these initiatives to encourage China to continue to play a peaceful and constructive role
in the region.The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia is a very important one.
Many SAF servicemen go for Exercise Wallaby and train in sizeable areas. We hope to take this
partnership even further in areas such as personnel exchanges, counter-terrorism, and R&D
collaborations, through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that the two Prime Ministers
endorsed last year.
A Resilient Nation
The crucial question is: after an extremist attack, will it splinter our society? Will it paralyse
Singaporeans and sow discord through fear? We want to hear what Singaporeans hope to do to
strengthen Total Defence, and encourage more ground-up ideas.
Conclusion
Madam Chair, in this troubled peace, the SAF will train hard, prepare well and continually adapt
to protect Singapore. With Singaporeans strongly behind and with us, the SAF will respond
decisively to all those who seek to do us harm and protect this precious island we call home.
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Senior Minister of State Maliki Osman
8 April 20162
Every Singaporean Has a Role to Play in Defence
We need to be resilient as we face evolving threats. In 2011, following the arrest of 15 members
of the Singapore Jemaah Islamiyah branch, inter-racial confidence circles in schools and
workplaces were formed to promote inter-religious understanding. We emerged stronger from
the episode, but it became clear that security agencies cannot fight such threats alone. As members
of the public, we can play our part by being vigilant and sounding the alarm if we find something
amiss. The battle today and in the future is one that needs to be won in our hearts and minds as
we guard against influences that threaten our social cohesion.
Social Integration in the SAF
Madam Chair, the SAF is a microcosm of Singapore society, with soldiers from different
backgrounds, religions and race. Singapore is a secular state and all Singaporeans enjoy the right
to practice their religions under our Constitution. Apart from Islam, religions such as Buddhism,
Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism also practice certain dietary restrictions. However,
we do not insist that public eating places cater to any specific religious requirement. Rather than
encouraging any one religious group to push fully for its own strict requirements, our approach
has been to accommodate as far as practicable the needs of devotees of different religions while
maintaining the common space and common goals for all.
The SAF operates similarly just like society at large. In our camps, where space is available, we
make provisions for halal food to be prepared separately from non-halal food, but our soldiers
eat together in our dining halls. Where space is limited, vegetarian and halal food is brought in
from centralised kitchens instead of being prepared in the cookhouses. In operations, we provide
combat rations that are halal, and vegetarian options are available.
The preparation of halal food requires strict adherence to the religious stipulations governing the
food source, preparation and even storage. For Navy ships, space is always a premium which
needs to be maximised and prioritised for key operational requirements such as for combat
systems, ammunitions and equipment spares. Nonetheless, we make provisions for our Muslim
servicemen onboard ships by providing options such as seafood, chicken and vegetables.
Similarly, we make provisions for non-Muslim Navy servicemen with specific dietary restrictions
where possible. Our practice is similar to other Navies, including France and the US. The SAF
will accommodate wherever we can but the SAF's operational priorities come before individual
needs.
Maliki Osman, Speech at the Committee of Supply Debate 2016 (excerpts; accessed 10 Jan 2017)
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/sp/2016/07apr16_speech3.html#.WHWPA1V96Ul.
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ACCORD
I am heartened that Singaporeans understand the importance of the community's role in the
nation's defence, and provide useful feedback through the Advisory Council on Community
Relations in Defence (ACCORD). I am pleased to update that ACCORD has implemented 14 out
of 18 proposals submitted last year to strengthen support for National Service.
First, the Family and Community (F&C) Council has encouraged almost 70 businesses to show
appreciation for NSmen by offering discounts and benefits through the "We Support YOU in NS"
programme. The response from our NSmen and their families has been very positive.
Second, through the Educational Institutions (EI) Council, four Post-Secondary Education
Institutions piloted fitness programmes to help pre-enlistee students get ready and fit for NS. The
results are encouraging. At Temasek Polytechnic, the fitness programme increased the IPPT pass
rate of participating students by more than 25%.
Third, the Employer and Business (E&B) Council piloted a post-In-Camp Training letter to
employers, to recognise useful skills and attributes of our NSmen which are invaluable in the
business world. Last year, 122 individuals, businesses and organisations were awarded the NS
Advocate Award for their outstanding support towards NS.
In 2016, we can look forward to an expanded "We Support YOU in NS" programme, and more
exciting collaborations with Families for Life to reach the wider community. We will continue to
encourage more pre-enlistee fitness programmes and engender broader-based support for NS
through the "NS Mark" later this year, which recognises supportive employers, businesses and
organisations.
Strengthening our Commitment to Defence
The SAF regularly organises events to educate the public on our defence capabilities in a fun and
engaging way. For instance, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will organise an Open
House in May this year. Later in June, the Singapore Army and the Republic of Singapore Navy
(RSN) will hold an exhibition and Navy@Vivo respectively. We project to reach out to 250,000
visitors through these events.
Last year, we launched the Commitment to Defence (C2D) Ambassadors programme to allow
our SAF pioneers to engage and inspire the younger generation with personal stories of
Singapore's early struggles and our accomplishments in the face of adversity. Our younger
generation found the sharing sessions interesting, authentic, and I quote, "not something we can
get from the internet".
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MINDEF agrees that the public needs to join the conversation on ensuring our future security.
Therefore, we integrated this year's Total Defence campaign with the SGfuture citizen
engagement initiative, under the theme "A Secure and Resilient Nation".
After 50 years of nationhood, the threats we are facing have evolved, but so have our responses.
The future is uncertain, but I am confident that if we see ourselves first and foremost as one people,
and have the resolve to work together to strengthen our military, civil, economic, social and
psychological defences, we as a society will be resilient enough for any challenge that comes our
way.
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Senior Minister of State Ong Ye Kung
8 April 20163
Today, I will talk about three areas of efforts important to national servicemen - effective
training, meaningful recognition and instilling pride.
Effective Training and Learning Spaces
Overcoming Constraints
The soldiering skills of our servicemen are gained, honed and maintained through rigorous
training. But Singapore does not have large tracts of land for military training, and we have
to make training realistic through innovative means. Further, live training is augmented with
simulation training, which develops our soldiers’ cognitive decision-making skills, while
sharpening their physical warfighting skills. One example is the Motorised Infantry Simulator
Centre, launched in Oct 2015. It hosts a suite of simulators that provide tactical training for
selected weapons and platforms.
Safety as a Top Priority
We recognise that for every Singaporean male serving NS, there will be loved ones at home
worrying about their safety. To give them peace of mind, family members who visit the Basic
Military Training Centre (BMTC) are shown how training is conducted and the safety
precautions we take. Training safety is also featured in many of our public engagement events.
Unfortunately, much as we try, there will inevitably be injuries and casualties. Our
compensation framework takes reference from, and is more generous than the WICA, Work
Injury Compensation Act.
Any compensation amounts are generally two to four times that provided under the WICA.
MINDEF also pays for all necessary medical expenses incurred at government and
restructured hospitals or clinics for the treatment of service-related injury, for as long as
required. Beyond compensation provisions, our welfare frameworks provide additional
support to the servicemen and their families through the SAF Benevolent Fund and the SAF
Care Fund.
But any form of compensation would never be adequate to make up for any permanent loss
of limb, or worse, life. We should not go down the road where recognition of NS becomes a
valuation of the sacrifice and any compensation comes down to the dollar, because it will
never be enough. When you lose a limb or lose a loved one, it will never be enough. But we
have to do what we can that is fair and we hope that our compensation and welfare
frameworks can provide adequate support when unfortunate incidents happen in the course
of service.
Ong Ye Kung, Speech at the Committee of Supply Debate 2016 (excerpts; accessed 10 Jan 2017)
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/sp/2016/07apr16_speech2.html#.WHWPBVV96Ul.
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Maintaining Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) Training
Currently, majority of NSmen in operational units are called up for ORNS training within the
first two years after they ORD. But some NSmen may begin their ORNS training cycle later,
for a variety of reasons. Notwithstanding, where feasible, we will ensure ORNS training starts
as soon as possible.
There are a few ways. One way is to ensure that the first few years of ORNS comprise shorter,
low key trainings. And that facilitates the calling up. Second, we have tied up with the local
universities to facilitate the call up of the students. This also ensures that ORNS training starts
early. Third is to make some changes to how we deploy NSmen. For example, trainers who
went through full-time NS at the BMTC can be deployed as training instructors at our Training
Institutes.
Then there is the issue of when the ORNS ends. Since 2006, we were able to reduce the ORNS
cycle from 13 years to 10 years. A great number are able to complete by their early 30’s, when
they have many more pre-occupations in life.
And there is a structure to the 10 years of ORNS - starting with low key, perhaps company
level training, before ramping up to high key, longer exercises. However, when an NSman
misses a high key training due to health reasons, extended overseas assignment, or like Mr
Baey Yam Keng just told the story, given an incentive trip, he may then disrupt his ORNS
cycle, as some of us may have experienced that ourselves. And then we end up undergoing
more low key ICTs and not fulfilling our high key ones.
Ultimately, this is not an easy issue. Deferments for various work, health and family reasons,
they are ever rising, we are all getting so busy, and the SAF needs to be understanding to these
competing life priorities. But at the same time, this disrupts and affects the completion of the
ORNS cycle. We will continue to do our best to facilitate as many NSmen as possible to
complete their ORNS cycle early, while meeting the SAF's operational needs.
Recognition for NS
We have been finding ways to show appreciation to our national servicemen and those who
support them - the NSman Tax Relief, NS Housing, Medical and Education Awards, the NS
HOME Awards, SAFRA facilities. These forms of recognition are important to let them know
that their sacrifices are deeply appreciated, and for the greater good of Singapore.
Enhancing Recognition for National Servicemen
We will enhance the recognition for national servicemen in three ways.
First, from 1 April 2016 - today we have the Family Recognition Voucher scheme, where
NSmen receive vouchers which they can use at many outlets and merchants - we will enhance
it and rename it the NS Excellence Award. But the change is not just in name: the number of
NSmen who are awarded vouchers in recognition of their good performance during ICTs and
NS courses will increase. Today it is the top 10%; it will increase to the top 30%. The amount
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will also increase. The top 10% will receive $200 while the next 20% will receive $100, the
amount they receive today. We will also be introducing Celebratory Gifts for NSmen. They
will receive $100 worth of vouchers when they get married or welcome a new child into their
families.
Second, in the later part of 2016, we will enhance the basic life and personal accident insurance
coverage for national servicemen from the SAF, SPF and SCDF. This will cover all incidents
during full-time NS and operationally-ready NS activities. Each serviceman will be covered
for $150,000 in group term life and in group personal accident insurance.
Third, we will improve SAFRA facilities. The new SAFRA Punggol club will be completed in
April 2016. Actually, it is kind of completed and just waiting to be opened. I have visited the
clubhouse, which has a very attractive set of facilities, and I believe that in the North-eastern
region of Singapore, where there are 82,000 NSmen and their families, the clubhouse will serve
them well.
Professional and Personal Development
We will continue to work with WDA, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, to
accredit the leadership and vocational skills learnt during NS - such as for military police,
paramedics, and aircraft technicians. This will be useful to the NSmen. We will do more to
consider the skills and abilities of our servicemen during deployment, while balancing
operational requirements.
Recognition for Stakeholders
Last year, we revamped the Total Defence Awards and recognised 122 NS Advocates who
have demonstrated tremendous support for NS. To better recognise such companies, this year,
we will launch a national accreditation scheme, the NS Mark. This scheme recognises
organisations supportive of NS and Total Defence, and encourages more employers and
businesses to adopt human resource practices that support our NSmen. Under the scheme,
organisations will be awarded either the NS Mark, or the higher tiered NS Mark (Gold). Top
NS Mark (Gold) organisations will be further recognised as NS Advocates.
Serving with Pride
The NS institution is only as strong as the commitment and fighting spirit of our national
servicemen.
Spirit of NS Men
We see this spirit in many of our NSmen. Despite having to juggle NS duties with day-to-day
family and job commitments, these NSmen set aside time to attend courses to upgrade their
vocational and leadership skills in preparation for their higher appointments in NS. We also
see NSmen extending service to contribute to national defence.
SAF Volunteer Corps
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This spirit is also demonstrated by women, new citizens and first-generation permanent
residents who have come forth forward to serve in the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC). We are
proud that last year, 226 Volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages completed
their Basic Training. More than 80% of the Volunteers have progressed to the next phase of
training. Volunteers who have completed the requisite training have since been deployed in
vocations such as Auxiliary Security Troopers and Naval Bridge Watch Keepers. Moving
forward, we will continue to see SAFVC Volunteers deployed in diverse roles to better
support our national servicemen in defending Singapore.
Conclusion
We are all united in upholding the institution of National Service. National Service has even
become a form of national identity. Indeed, the efforts of our national servicemen, and those
who support them, have been instrumental in establishing the bedrock of peace and stability
upon which we have built Singapore. Let us continue to ensure NS will remain a source of
pride and strength for Singapore.
14
MINDEF EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES FOR FY2016
Mission Statement
The mission of Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is to
enhance Singapore’s peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these
fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor.
To achieve this mission, MINDEF will strengthen the military, manpower and technological
edge of the SAF, whilst fostering close relations with friendly countries in the region and
beyond through greater dialogue, confidence building and co-operation.
Desired Outcomes






A safe and secure environment where Singapore’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
are protected and preserved
Safe and secure access to Singapore’s air and sea lines of communications
A strong network of defence ties in the region and beyond
Committed National Servicemen who are dedicated to Total Defence
An operationally ready and well-equipped SAF that can deal with a broad range of
threats to Singapore’s security
A highly skilled, professional and technologically advanced SAF
FY2016 Expenditure Estimates
Expenditure Estimates by Object Class
Code
Actual
FY2014
Estimated
FY2015
Revised
FY2015
Estimated
FY2016
$12,295,474,429
$13,122,000,000
$13,122,000,000
$13,967,000,000
$845,000,000
OPERATING EXPENDITURE
$11,866,863,113
$12,691,000,000
$12,691,000,000
$13,296,000,000
$605,000,000
4.8%
RUNNING COSTS
$11,858,677,101
$12,682,445,600
$12,682,772,000
$13,287,401,700
$604,629,700
4.8%
$16,051,651
$14,698,100
$17,044,900
$17,225,500
$180,600
1.1%
1,227,065
1,150,100
1,754,700
2,028,100
273,400
15.6
14,824,586
13,548,000
15,290,200
15,197,400
-92,800
-0.6
Object Class
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Change over
FY2015
6.4%
Main Estimates
Expenditure on Manpower
1200
Political Appointments
1500
Permanent Staff
15
Code Object Class
2100
Other Operating Expenditure
Consumption of Products & Services
2300
Manpower Development
2400
2800
International & Public Relations,
Public Communications
Miscellaneous
2900
Military Expenditure
TRANSFERS
3600
Transfers to Institutions &
Organisations
Actual
FY2014
Estimated
FY2015
Revised
FY2015
Estimated
FY2016
$11,842,625,449
17,279,890
$12,667,747,500
23,072,000
$12,665,727,100
23,072,000
$13,270,176,200
22,572,000
Change over
FY2015
$604,449,100
-500,000
4.8%
-2.2
219,951
333,000
323,000
323,000
0
0.0
17,875,932
41,382,000
41,382,000
39,416,500
-1,965,500
-4.7
0.0
0
1,687,000
1,667,000
1,667,000
0
11,807,249,676
12,601,273,500
12,599,283,100
13,206,197,700
606,914,600
4.8
$8,186,012
$8,554,400
$8,228,000
$8,598,300
$370,300
4.5%
8,186,012
8,554,400
8,228,000
8,598,300
370,300
4.5
$428,611,317
$431,000,000
$431,000,000
$671,000,000
$240,000,000
55.7%
428,611,317
431,000,000
431,000,000
671,000,000
240,000,000
55.7
Development Estimates
DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE
5100
Government Development
Establishment List
Category/Personnel
Actual
FY2014
Estimated
FY2015
Revised
FY2015
Estimated
FY2016
POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS
3
3
3
3
Minister
2
2
1
1
Senior Minister of State
0
0
2
2
Minister of State
1
1
0
0
PERMANENT STAFF
279
279
279
279
Administrative
12
12
12
12
Education Service (2008)
10
10
10
10
Language Executive Scheme (2008)
1
1
1
1
Legal
10
10
10
10
Management Executive Scheme (2008)
186
186
186
186
Management Support Scheme (2008)
60
60
60
60
TOTAL
282
282
282
282
FY2015 Budget
The total expenditure of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in FY2015 is projected to be $13.12
billion, an increase of $826.53 million or 6.7% over the actual FY2014 expenditure of $12.30
billion.
Operating Expenditure
The revised operating expenditure of $12.69 billion is an increase of $824.14 million or 6.9%
over the actual FY2014 operating expenditure of $11.87 billion. This increase is due to higher
military expenditure.
16
Development Expenditure
The revised development expenditure is $431 million, an increase of $2.39 million or 0.6% over
the actual FY2014 development expenditure of $428.61 million.
FY2016 Budget
The total expenditure of MINDEF in FY2016 is projected to be $13.97 billion, an increase of
$845 million or 6.4% from the revised FY2015 expenditure. Of this, $13.30 billion or 95.2% is
for operating expenditure and the balance of $671 million or 4.8% is for development
expenditure.
Operating Expenditure
The provision of $13.30 billion for operating expenditure represents an increase of $605
million or 4.8% from the revised FY2015 operating expenditure.
A total sum of $13.21 billion or 99.3% of the operating expenditure goes towards the Armed
Forces. This includes payment for the purchase of military equipment, maintenance of
equipment and camps, and the allowances and salaries of full-time national servicemen,
operationally ready national servicemen and regular servicemen. Compared with the revised
FY2015 expenditure, the projected Armed Forces expenditure for FY2016 shows an increase
of $606.91 million.
Salaries of civilian personnel and operating costs of MINDEF HQ account for the remaining
$89.80 million or 0.7% of operating expenditure.
Development Expenditure
The projected development expenditure for FY2016 is $671 million, an increase of $240 million
or 55.7% from the revised FY2015 development expenditure. This increase is mainly attributed
to higher construction requirements arising from major development works.
17
Total Expenditure by Programme
Code
Programme
JA
National Defence
Total
Running
Costs
Transfers
Operating
Expenditure
Development
Expenditure
Total
Expenditure
13,287,401,700
8,598,300
13,296,000,000
671,000,000
13,967,000,000
$13,287,401,700
$8,598,300
$13,296,000,000
$671,000,000
$13,967,000,000
Development Expenditure by Project
Total
Project Cost
Project Title
Actual
Expenditure
up to end of
FY2013
Actual
FY2014
Estimated
FY2015
Revised
FY2015
Estimated
FY2016
DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE
...
...
$428,611,317
$431,000,000
$431,000,000
$671,000,000
GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT
...
...
428,611,317
431,000,000
431,000,000
671,000,000
...
...
428,611,317
431,000,000
431,000,000
671,000,000
National Defence Programme
Armed Forces
18