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In a modern society that emphasises gender equality in serving the nation, such distinctions are outdated.
Extend NS to 5 years reservist to 20 years and we shall save enuf money to buy a few air craft carriers.We are still far behind to Indon time to buy more shiny toys and stuff trump coffers w money lest they impose tariffs on us.
"In fields of sacrificeIf really war,not being selfish,like Elon said just few ppl because of their own gains they sent ppl to fight n sacrifice for their own greed like Ukraine n russia
But we are one of the most indebted countries in the world. We can't afford these sort of military budgets.Proud of our military. But we only spend 3% of GDP. Should spend at least 5%, we can afford it if we pay our ministers less.
Singapore to buy 2 more submarines and introduce new 'Titan' infantry fighting vehicle
The Singapore army will also upgrade its long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to integrate newer and more capable rockets.
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Singapore started building four Invincible-class submarines in 2017, two of which became fully operational last year. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
03 Mar 2025 01:56PM (Updated: 03 Mar 2025 02:47PM)
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) plans to buy two more submarines to add to its current fleet of four, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on Monday (Mar 3).
The Singapore Army will also acquire a new infantry fighting vehicle named "Titan", which comes wheeled and, for the first time, with firepower significantly enhanced through a 30mm cannon as a remote weapon system.
The Titan will also be equipped with capabilities to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The army's long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher will also be upgraded to more capable rockets. It has been in service since 2010.
HIMARS has been useful and effective for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, said Dr Ng.
The minister gave these updates as he laid out the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF) spending plans in parliament.
The Republic of Singapore started building four German, custom-made, Invincible-class submarines in 2017. All of them are on track to be operational by around 2028, said Dr Ng.
The first two were already fully operationalised in September last year.
"But four submarines are not optimal for a fleet," said Dr Ng. "Our submarines are subjected to more rigorous and frequent maintenance cycles with stringent checks; as you can imagine, they need to operate under intense pressure, literally.
"Operational time is conversely reduced relatively. This is why most navies that operate submarines have more than four - Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam - to name a few of our close neighbours," he added.
"Having proven that the Invincible-class submarines can perform to
expectations in tropical waters, the SAF plans to procure two more submarines, to make up a total of six, as the steady state for our submarine fleet."
UPGRADES AT SEA AND IN THE AIR
The navy will also launch its first multi-role combat vessels (MRCVs) later this year. Six of them were earlier acquired as replacements for an ageing fleet of Victory-class missile corvettes in service since 1989.
The MRCVs are larger and have greater range - about three times further - than the corvettes.
"The MRCV is actually not one ship but a mothership with unmanned platforms. Together with its suite of advanced sensors and combat systems, she will strengthen the navy’s ability to safeguard our maritime interests," said Dr Ng.
Up in the skies, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is looking into appropriate replacements for its Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircraft, which for three decades have provided surveillance and protected the seaward defence and sea lines of communication of Singapore.
Specifically, the Boeing P-8A and Airbus C295 are being evaluated.
The former is flown by the US Navy, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force, to name a few.
Meanwhile, the Airbus C295 has been acquired by countries such as Chile and Spain for anti-submarine warfare missions.
On Monday, Dr Ng also noted the establishment of an F-35 and F-16 fighter jet training detachment at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas in the US.
Singapore recently confirmed the purchase of F-35As from the US, with Dr Ng earlier announcing the decision to acquire eight more of those jets during last year's MINDEF budget debate.
Ebbing was shortlisted after careful feasibility studies between the RSAF and the US Air Force, which included factors such as suitability of location and training area, infrastructure and logistics support.
"These moves reflect the strength of our defence relationship with the US, and the continued commitment to a multi decade partnership. We thank the US for their support," said Dr Ng.
"With these added capabilities for air, land, and sea, the SAF as a relatively small military would have transformed itself with state-of-the-art platforms comparable to advanced militaries elsewhere and fit for our security purposes."
(Infographic: MINDEF)![]()
"WE MUST FACE OUR FUTURE RESOLUTELY"
Overall, MINDEF’s expenditure is projected to be around S$23.4 billion (US$17.3 billion) for this financial year - a 12.4 per cent increase from 2024, Dr Ng told parliament.
"It's sizeable, but it reflects the catch-up of projects deferred or disrupted due to COVID-19. We are still catching up, including those impacted by supply chain disruptions in recent years," he added.
Even so, over the past decade, defence spending has stayed within the range of 3 per cent of Singapore's GDP, he highlighted.
"I expect the growth in defence spending to taper down from FY26 and keep within this 3 per cent of GDP range over the next decade, barring any major conflicts or severe economic uncertainty."
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Dr Ng had earlier opened his speech by setting the context of Singapore and its people needing to prepare for a disruptive future.
"History teaches us that the fate of nations, particularly weak ones, and I use the word nations in a broader sense, can change without their choice. It's decided in the corridors of power, and then declared publicly as a fait accompli," he said, adding that change can be inflicted through open aggression and brute force.
"No one can predict the future precisely, but the feel of change is in the air. What further surprises lie in store?" he asked.
"Seasoned columnists who have witnessed historically churning events liken our time to that before the First World War, and ask if we are 'sleepwalking' into our future."
In the aftermath of World War I, four empires, some which had existed for hundreds of years, were laid to waste, Dr Ng said. "It changed the map of the world - of borders, of alliances, of ethnic groups, of societies en masse."
"What's in store for Asia?" the minister asked. "Whatever comes, we must face our future resolutely.
"Singapore has thrived since our independence because we took the world as it is, and not what we wished it to be," he added.
"We responded to daunting challenges as one nation - with grit, perseverance, sacrifice, and hard realism. We must now do the same as we enter into uncharted waters."
"Before 1965, Singapore was not in charge of its own fate so we could have blamed other countries - the British or other large powers. But as an independent and sovereign nation, we Singaporeans have agency, and can decide and do all we can to secure our future together," said Dr Ng.
"And certainly, building our own defences to protect our own interests, must take priority. We count on no one else to protect Singapore, but ourselves."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/submarines-new-infantry-fighting-vehicle-mindef-4971486
As clerks, storemen and MDC performers?Walk the talk and send some NS boys to Ukraine.