[Sg video] - PAP Ng Eng Hen on why Singapore needs to continue having a World Class Military

[True Believer]

In a modern society that emphasises gender equality in serving the nation, such distinctions are outdated.

 

[bobby]

Read this crap by Hen….

Sir, let me summarise and conclude.

Compulsory NS comes with significant costs on enlistees and the society, and can only be justified, if it serves the critical need of national security and defence. This is the basis of the social compact and individual responsibility for NS, and those who do not comply are dealt with harshly. Historically, the SAF started the conscription of males that is able to defend Singapore today against potential aggressors and provide adequate deterrence. Likewise, the enlistment of males into the SPF and SCDF is sufficient for homeland security needs. There is currently no need for us to enlist women for NS.

We should not enlist women for NS to perform roles outside the SAF, SPF or SCDF even if that achieves some social good. The cost on women themselves, their families and society does not justify enlisting women into NS for those reasons.

Women are already contributing to nation building as regulars and volunteers. The SAF and Home Team welcome more women to pursue full-time careers or join their volunteer units.

 

[mojito]

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.

Extend NS to 5 years reservist to 20 years and we shall save enuf money to buy a few air craft carriers.

 

[millim6868]

If 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

 

[True Believer]

If 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

"In fields of sacrifice
Heroes paid the price
Young men who died for old men's wars
Gone to paradise"

Lyrics from "Requiem for a Soldier" (Theme from the movie "Band of Brothers")

 

[Loofydralb]

Answer:
Because it's a tribute from a vassal state

Only idiots believe feudalism doesn't exist in modern day.

 

[spinn]

lol paranoia leigns supremeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

fearmongering to tighten grip on powderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[laksaboy]

Walk the talk and send some NS boys to Ukraine.

 

[GOD IS MY DOG]

will the Titan prove as deadly as the Bionix.....................??....................to friendly forces that is.............

 

[laksaboy]

Any new SAF running shoes for SG60?

 

[oliverlee]

Of course, the only two industries that could give the devil a hard on - arms and pharmaceutical, keep nuking, keep jabbing

 

[jurongwest]

SAF is world class? jialat my toes are laughing cannot stop now

 

[po2wq]

wat is world crass military? ...

spend big moni 2 buy sum state of ze art toys means ur military, which never fot any battle b4, is world crass? ...

ur military can fite in a real battle anot? ...

 

[Willamshakespear]

Singapore no doubt is a small country, & thus can be easily bullied.

Today's friend can be tomorrow's enemy, and equally, today's enemy can be tomorrow's friend. Thus Singapore has to always be PREPARED.

We Singaporeans may not be able to win against a bigger enemy to save & protect our loved ones & way of life, but we will rather stand than to live on knees.

The equipment & training we have WILL give us time to hold back the enemy, so that many more loved ones can be evacuated to safety. It WILL also let the enemy know that it will not be a walkover fight. It will be COSTLY to the enemy to continue its war in every way, in finances & blood to even them, & we will hold out as long as we can against the enemy, the way the courageous UKR citizens did until sanity returns to Humankind....

 

[eatshitndie]

it will be world crass and crap when meals ready-to-eat (mre) prepared by sats for saf cause ns men to lao sai before, during, and after any mobilization.

 

[syed putra]

NS is like religion. People are forced into it by birth. Cannot challenge. Even opposition agrees.

 

[Papsmearer]

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.

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."

​

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

But we are one of the most indebted countries in the world. We can't afford these sort of military budgets.

 

[True Believer]

Walk the talk and send some NS boys to Ukraine.

As clerks, storemen and MDC performers?