SINGAPORE – The Republic’s first islandwide Total Defence exercise will be held in February to increase Singaporeans’ readiness for crises and disruptions. This is among several events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Total Defence in 2024.
From Feb 15 to 29, Exercise SG Ready will simulate an attack on Singapore using a variety of hybrid security threats from an anonymous aggressor deploying cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and drones against various targets.
These attacks would cause simulated disruptions to power, water or food supply to some schools on Feb 15 and 16. Emergency food supplies and water will be provided during this time.
Community facilities and commercial and government buildings will also take turns to run simulated disruptions as part of the exercise over two weeks.
The simulated disruptions include temporary stoppage of escalators and air-conditioners on various days, while 20 prominent public buildings such as the Treasury, Supreme Court, National Heritage Board museums, Esplanade Theatres and Suntec Convention Centre will switch off their facade lighting to simulate a blackout caused by a cyber attack on the power grid.
In all, some 500 educational, community, commercial and government buildings will be involved in the exercise.
The decision to hold the exercise came about as a result of feedback from various government agencies and partners that there is a need to educate Singaporeans on what to do in the event of a crisis, said Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan, deputy secretary (policy) at the Ministry of Defence, on Jan 22 during the launch of the Total Defence 40th anniversary (TD40) events.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...-feb-food-power-disruptions-will-be-simulated
