This SAF Day is a solemn one. An NSman tragically passed away after collapsing outside Maju Camp yesterday (30 June). We would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family.
SAF has paused NS FIT training until 4 July 2025 to review safety procedures and protocols. They are also supporting the family through their time of grief.
We would also like to join them in reminding our soldiers to monitor their health and to make it known to their instructors if they feel at all unwell during training.
With no natural defences or hinterland, our National Servicemen (NSmen) are the backbone of Singapore’s defences. They are sons, brothers, fathers and citizens who stand in reserve, ready to defend this little red dot.
It is the sacrifices they make, together with our NSFs, regular servicemen and women, that we commemorate and show our appreciation for on SAF Day.
In 1990, Dr Lee Siew Choh, an NCMP from the Workers’ Party (WP), pushed very strongly for Singapore to reduce its defence expenditure.
His arguments were that tensions were easing worldwide. With the end of the Cold War and the US looking to cut back its military forces in the region, the WP MP felt that Singapore should follow suit.
However, then-Second Minister for Defence BG Lee Hsien Loong gave a firm, principled answer.
“No other ASEAN country is slashing its defence expenditures, demobilising its armed forces, or acting on the assumption that it no longer faces any external security threats. It would be foolhardy for Singapore alone to do so.” said Mr Lee.
In 2015, the SDP under Dr Chee Soon Juan called for a 40% cut in defence spending to fund their own plans.
At that time, the global climate had already begun to change for the worse. Russia had invaded Crimea in 2014. The civil war in Syria was ongoing, and ISIL/ISIS was rapidly gaining ground in many countries in the Middle East.
Cutting back on defence then would have exposed Singapore to significant threats to our national security.
Without long-term defence planning and sustained spending, the SAF wouldn’t have remained a credible deterrence to those who wish us ill.
Small countries, dangerous tides and the lesson from Ukraine
Today, the world has only become more difficult to navigate, than a decade ago.
The rules-based order in preventing conflict is fraying, said Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at the Shangri-La Dialogue this year. “And because of that, we live in dangerous times.”
Slashing the defence budget would put Singapore in an incredibly vulnerable position if the unthinkable were to happen. Regardless of where we stand on the political spectrum, this is one area in which all Singaporeans must unite.
The war in Ukraine offers valuable lessons for us. As of now, Ukraine continues to be locked in a grinding battle for its survival. The war is costing them $140 million a day. Their loss of human life is immeasurable.
What is happening to Ukraine should be a sobering lesson for Singapore.
Not only must we not take peacetime for granted, but Singapore must always ensure we can defend our sovereignty.
That is something our founding fathers are very clear on. As a small nation with no hinterland, Singapore is determined to be the “poisonous shrimp” that stings.
Since independence, defence has been a priority. In 1967, National Service became compulsory for all 18-year-old male Singapore citizens.
Following the withdrawal of British troops in 1971, Singapore had to build its armed forces from scratch.
It was during their period that Southeast Asia became the stage where the Cold War was fought hot. Against this backdrop, defence spending averaged 5 – 6% of GDP throughout the 70s and 80s.
Throughout the 90s and into the new millennium, Singapore continues to spend an average of 3% of its GDP on defence. This figure is more than the OECD average. This tool political leadership.
For decades, there have been calls to cut the defence budget. However, rather than bowing down to populist pressure, the PAP government believes that investing in Singapore’s ability to defend itself is in the country’s and our people’s long term interest.
With rising tensions and ongoing conflicts, the pragmatism and farsightedness that exemplify the defence policies of successive PAP governments have paid off. Singapore is now a stronger nation with a modern and credible defence force.
This July 1, we celebrate SAF Day to mark the formation of our Armed Forces and honour the many generations servicemen and women for keeping us safe. It is a reminder of how far we have come as a nation and how we must continue to prioritise defence to secure our future.
That is because, in the end, nothing else matters if Singapore no longer exists as an independent and sovereign nation.
