Ng Eng Hen
Singapore
“I think we try to keep this virtuous state of affairs as long as we can to make sure that we can invest steadily. Year-to-year fluctuations would occur, whether it is economic, not so much in COVID-19, but remember the Global Financial Crisis? Everybody needs to take a haircut. If you have to take a haircut, you have to take a haircut.”
“Mr Chairman, as the World around us becomes more unpredictable and changes, the more we need to keep the strongest commitment to strengthen our own defences and, if needed, we must be willing to do more. Singapore celebrates 60 years of Independence this year.”
“MINDEF will continue to work with partners to encourage Singaporeans to raise their digital literacy, develop and maintain good cybersecurity habits, protect sensitive data and guard against scams, fake news and disinformation so as to make the digital domain a safer and more secure space.”
“The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) conducts regular mobilisation exercises (MOBEX) of our National Service (NS) forces. In a silent mobilisation, NSmen are notified through their personal contact numbers. Open mobilisations include the broadcast of unit code-words through mass media.”
“In 2020, the Ministry of Defence replied to a Parliamentary Question on this matter that the relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) would likely occur around 2030 or beyond, after Changi Air Base and Tengah Air Base have been expanded to house the existing assets at PLAB.”
“When incidents or near-misses happen, as it did where one Hunter armoured fighting vehicle rear-ended another during Exercise Wallaby in Australia, thorough investigations are conducted and lessons learnt shared across the units.”
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“Whatever the configuration, Singapore encourages each grouping to contribute constructively to regional peace and stability, through transparent and open dialogue with others outside the group, and with activities that are non-confrontational, do not escalate tensions and promote a rules-based order. Member nations of these groups should also abide by the ASEAN treaties that they have signed individually, such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. MINDEF will continue to engage all groups to push for these outcomes. Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine programme is expected to take more than 10 years before it rolls out its first submarine for deployment. If at that time, Australia requests to use facilities at our naval bases, we would treat such requests as we do now with various countries. In general, we will facilitate port calls by naval vessels from countries that we have good bilateral ties with and that promote stability in this region. These vessels will have to abide by our laws, regulations and rules during port calls, especially those pertaining to safety for nuclear-powered submarines.”
“Multilateral security groupings in any geographic region has been a fact of life, as countries seek to secure their own strategic interests. For Singapore, as a small country, we must adjust nimbly to existing and new groupings to guard our own interests too. For example, Singapore is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, that commemorates its Golden Jubilee this year. Each FPDA exercise can involve up to 4000 troops, 18 ships, 50 to 60 aircraft, and even submarines, but our ASEAN neighbours accept this, as the grouping is not aimed at any one country but, as intended in its origin, to act as a security umbrella for the peace and stability of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. The FPDA is inclusive. We have invited the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (KEMHAN), as well as ASEAN Defence Attaches to observe our exercises. The 10 nation ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 18 nation ADMM-Plus was formed 15 and 11 years ago. This security grouping has conducted more than 20 military exercises among its seven Expert Working Groups in the last decade. In Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation involves eight member states, four observers and six dialogue partners. The SCO recently concluded its 6th biennial multinational counter-terrorism military exercise. The Quad of Australia, India, Japan and the US had its first dialogue in 2007 and re-established dialogues in 2017 after a hiatus. The AUKUS pact would be the latest addition.”
“Remote channels of mental health support such as tele-counselling and online resources were added so that servicemen can continue to access timely services during periods when physical interactions are constrained. Survey and monitoring efforts have also been stepped up so that we can assess how our servicemen are adapting to the COVID situation. Despite these measures, some with mental health issues may not overtly show signs, or even if they do, only sporadically. We therefore encourage the social contacts of our servicemen, for example, their family members and friends, to contact MINDEF/SAF if they notice any of our servicemen in difficulty. They may call the NS Call Centre at 1800-367 6767. The COVID-19 situation is an evolving one. We will continue to monitor the challenges it brings and render support to our servicemen’s mental well-being.”
“MINDEF/SAF has in place a Mental Health Support System comprising education, prevention, detection and intervention measures that support our full-time servicemen’s mental well-being. Additional support is provided to those who face challenges. During Basic Military Training, recruits are taught to recognise distress signs and practise self-care as part of their psychological resilience training. They are paired with buddies who offer peer-level support, and may also approach orientation officers for further advice and assistance. At our training schools and units, SAF commanders are trained to recognise mental health issues, and interview their servicemen regularly to identify potential problems and render assistance. Servicemen who need professional help receive support from para-counsellors, counsellors and psychologists through their units or centralised resources such as the SAF Counselling Centre, Psychological Care Centre and anonymous 24-hour counselling hotline. These measures continue to be available during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, recognising the unique challenges brought about by COVID-19, the SAF has introduced new initiatives to support our servicemen’s mental well-being. Since the pandemic began, the SAF has provided information and advice to servicemen on self-care and team-care under the COVID-19 environment. Commanders were encouraged to monitor stress levels and organise mental well-being activities in their units. A dedicated well-being campaign was also conducted earlier this year to encourage discussion of mental health issues and promote healthy habits.”
“Subject to operational and security considerations, MINDEF adheres to the national Environmental Impact Assessment framework to assess and reduce the environmental impact of our developments. MINDEF also works closely with partner agencies, such as NParks, and consults other stakeholders, including nature groups, on such efforts.”
“In line with the Singapore Green Plan, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is committed to reducing its waste generation by 30% by 2030. It has been implementing various measures to attain this objective. To reduce food wastage, SAF plans for meals at its cookhouses based on weekly consumption forecasts that take into account a unit’s training schedule and nutritional requirement. An electronic meal accounting system is also used to track actual consumption over time so that further adjustments can be made. These measures have reduced food wastage to, on average, about 1% of meals catered. On equipment, servicemen are issued with the necessary uniforms, boots and other personal equipment needed to perform their vocational roles. They are provided with annual eMart credits to replace worn-out personal equipment as and when needed, rather than at rigid fixed time windows when the equipment are still in good order. Besides minimising wastage, SAF also makes effort to recycle. For example, 14 SAF cookhouses are currently involved in a food recycling programme, which produces biogas for energy generation. By 2024, all SAF cookhouses will be part of this programme. SAF has also set up equipment collection points at premises such as SAFRA clubhouses for National Servicemen to dispose their old uniforms, boots and other personal equipment, some of which are repurposed and recycled. In addition, SAF has put in place waste disposal contracts to repurpose and recycle scrap metals, electronic waste, chemicals and waste oil. Moving forward, SAF will explore further measures to reduce and minimise wastage. MINDEF strikes a careful balance between the need to meet SAF’s operational and training needs with biodiversity concerns.”
“Going forward, the SAF will continue to monitor the national situation and adjust our COVID-19 measures according to MOH guidelines. We thank our NSmen for their continued commitment to NS. Over the past year, we have in fact experienced slightly lower deferment rates and higher post-ICT satisfaction scores1. At the same time, we recognise that COVID-19 has brought about challenges to many Singaporeans. NSmen who require time to address important and time-sensitive personal or work matters may approach their unit commanders for assistance on deferment matters or arrangements for time-off during ICT.”
“In-Camp Training (ICT) for NS soldiers is required to maintain the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Therefore, ICT will continue, together with stringent testing regimes and safe management measures to prevent infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. When tightened restrictions are implemented nationally, the SAF will assess if some less essential training can be deferred. For example, during the Phase Two (Heightened Alert) in July, ICTs were deferred for four weeks, with catch-up training subsequently. However, critical ops units continued their training during Phase Two (Heightened Alert). The physical fitness of our NSmen is also an important aspect of the readiness of the SAF. This year, the SAF introduced the NS Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) programme to make fitness activities more convenient and accessible for them. These include FIT@Home, a fitness programme conducted through a virtual platform, to allow our NSmen to stay fit even when physical NS fitness activities were suspended during Phase Two (Heightened Alert). The initiatives have been well received by our NSmen. While short-term interruptions are manageable, prolonged disruptions to NS activities will have an impact on SAF’s operational readiness. This is why the SAF resumed ICTs and physical conduct of fitness activities right after Phase Two (Heightened Alert) ended in mid-August. High vaccination rates of about 90% amongst our NSmen coming back for ICTs, coupled with stringent safe management, provide for safe conduct of NS activities. Another key enabler is frequent testing. When the SAF resumed ICTs last October, we implemented a weekly COVID-19 test regime for NSmen reporting for unit-level ICT.”
“There were 20 sea robbery incidents near to Singapore in 2021. None of these reported incidents occurred within or originated from Singapore territorial waters. The majority of these robberies continue to involve petty theft for items like engine parts and ship stores. As these incidents took place outside our territorial waters, Singapore agencies do not have the authority to directly intervene or apprehend these perpetrators. While we do not conduct joint patrols with Indonesia, Singapore works with Indonesia to deal with transnational maritime piracy, robbery and other security threats including through coordinated patrols in our respective territorial waters. There are also regular exchanges and platforms to strengthen coordination and operational responses. Additionally, the RSN’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) continues to share information of hotspots and locations with higher concentrations of vessels with authorities of neighbouring countries, to aid them in making decisions on the appropriate actions against possible perpetrators, including stepping up of patrols. The IFC and the Maritime Port Authority have also increased engagement of the shipping community on potential sea robbery hotspots and protective security measures they can undertake when passing by hotspots. We will continue to work with maritime agencies and the neighbouring littoral states to collectively address maritime incidents and threats.”
“As announced on 22 July 2021, the National Day Parade 2021, originally planned on 9 August has been postponed to 21 August 2021, after the scheduled end of Phase Two (Heightened Alert). Stringent COVID-19 safety measures will be taken in the preparation and conduct of the event.”
“Again, Mr Speaker, I think it is useful not to conscribe the question and direct it to any one country. It does not serve our foreign policy; it does not reflect our desire to be principled and neutral. So, again, the answer is with regard to any country and I think we must ask relevant questions. How do you determine whether a particular aircraft of any country is friend or foe? And that is the job of the RSAF. If you have mistaken a friend for a foe, there can be catastrophic consequences. And there are a number of aspects that we would detect, whether it is movement, whether, indeed, flight plans have been filed. I have mentioned 350 such incidents and let me again emphasise, these 350 incidents have got nothing to do with the questions that the two Members have asked because they have framed their questions in a way that can actually give rise to misunderstanding and misinterpretations. These 350 incidents that we have had, many of which RSAF had actually to mobilise. And as Members will remember, there are a number of incidents in previous years. One was a private aircraft that got lost. And, of course, I suppose seeing an F-16 next to you is, for some, comforting, and it was gently guided to land in a safe area. There have been other instances which RSAF must use its judgement and there are strict protocols. These relate to what we call aerial threats. Mr Giam asked whether other militaries – I presume he was asking that – file flight plans. The answer is it is not uniform and, in fact, it is not the majority. Many countries do not file flight plans or contact the ATS Authority.”
“Mr Giam’s question also confuses the role of CAAS as the ATS Authority for the Singapore FIR with the role of the SAF to defend Singapore’s own territorial airspace. We should be clear that the RSAF has no mandate nor any role in the management of the Singapore FIR, which is carried out by CAAS, a civilian authority appointed by ICAO. The third issue, Singapore’s air defence. Singapore is a small country with a high population density and, therefore, more vulnerable to air threats. The SAF accordingly maintains air defence units at high alert. The RSAF conducts 24/7 surveillance of our skies through both ground-based radars and aerial reconnaissance to detect unknown or suspicious aircraft that are close enough to pose a potential threat. On average, each year, the RSAF responds to more than 350 such incidents. The specific incident referred to by the two Members in their questions was not deemed to be such a threat.”
“The role of the ATS Authority is to ensure safe and efficient flow of air traffic, mostly civilian, within its FIR. In this role, it does not act as a watchdog over disputed areas nor should that authority adopt a partisan role on behalf of any party or for itself. Civilian aircraft must file flight plans when going through the FIR of an ATS Authority. However, state aircraft, which includes military aircraft, are not required to file flight plans under international law, and this includes the Convention on International Civil Aviation. State aircraft are also not obliged to contact the ATS Authority so long as they fly with due regard for the safety of other aircraft. Nevertheless, some militaries, including the RSAF, do file flight plans and contact the ATS Authority of that FIR, even when they are not legally required to do so. The RSAF routinely adopts this practice, primarily to assist the ATS Authority in coordinating and de-conflicting RSAF flights from civilian aircraft as part of their responsibility for operating with due care. ICAO has appointed the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) as the ATS Authority for the Singapore FIR. In this capacity, CAAS has gained an international reputation for managing the Singapore FIR in a safe, orderly, impartial and expeditious manner. In the incident referred to in the Members’ questions, CAAS did not receive any flight plans from the PLAAF, nor did it communicate with the PLAAF or any of its aircraft. I have already mentioned that state aircraft are not required to do so. Nevertheless, had the PLAAF required air traffic services, it could have established communications with CAAS.”
“Members may remember that we held a multilateral exercise in 2016 and this was involving navies of the ADMM-Plus countries, which sailed from Brunei to Singapore through the South China Sea, and exercised together en route. You may also remember that during this year's Committee of Supply, I had also informed Members of this House that the South China Sea will see an increase in military activity from other countries. Earlier this year, the French Navy deployed its ships to the South China Sea. Later this year, the UK will send the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group with its fighter aircraft F35Bs. The Germans too intend to deploy a frigate to the South China Sea, the first time in almost 20 years. Apart from international law and UNCLOS, countries that conduct military activities in these areas have to act in accordance with ASEAN instruments that they have signed on to, such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. And I think it is instructive to quote from some of the phrases that these countries have agreed to in this treaty. This treaty calls for "mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations", as well as for signatories not to "participate in any activity which shall constitute a threat to the political and economic stability, sovereignty or territorial integrity" of one another. I have dealt with the first issue in terms of rights of military training; let me deal with the second issue. As distinct from military activity, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) appoints a civilian authority to manage the air space of each FIR. And this authority is designated as the Air Traffic Services (ATS) Authority.”
“Thank you. Mr Speaker, the two questions asked by Mr Gerald Giam and Mr Dennis Tan as listed in the Order Paper conflate a number of issues that may inadvertently give rise to misinterpretations and misunderstandings unless they are clearly distinguished. To avoid this, MINDEF’s reply will, therefore, separately address three distinct issues within their questions. It is important to emphasise even though they are somewhat related, these are three distinct issues. Let me list them: first, Singapore’s position on the rights of military aircraft to conduct passage and training under international law; second, the role and responsibilities of the authority managing a Flight Information Region (FIR); and finally, the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) air defence system to protect Singapore against aerial threats. In my reply, it will also be clear that the general principles Singapore adhere to govern our practices and specific protocols in response to all countries. Let me deal with the three issues. First, Singapore respects the rights of military aircraft and ships to conduct passage and training over areas and waters in accordance with international law, and this includes the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This is the basis upon which the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft conduct flights and training, whether it is in the South China Sea or other regions. This is also the basis for the conduct of exercises in the South China Sea, the ones that Singapore does bilaterally and in multilateral exercises. So, for example, Exercise Commando Sling which is between the SAF and the US Air Force, and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise between the SAF and the US Navy.”
“Mr Speaker, may I take the questions from Mr Gerald Giam and Mr Dennis Tan together, as they are related?”
“Safe Management Measures (SMMs) were implemented within the SAF to protect the integrity of our units, especially Critical Ops Units, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore last year. These measures included testing of trainers and new entrants of BMT and ICTs before they started training. Units are also cohorted, that is, divided into small groups. Soldiers remain in their group during training and interactions between groups strictly controlled. A mask-on policy is enforced. Commonly used equipment and high-touch surfaces are wiped down and sanitised after each use. While there have been cases of SAF personnel with COVID-19 acquired from within the community, to date, no secondary clusters have formed within SAF units as a result of these SMMs. With an endemic COVID-19, vaccination will be the mainstay of mitigation against the virus within the SAF, just as it is for the general public. As of end-June (30 June), 92% of the total MINDEF/SAF active population have received their first dose, and 84% are fully vaccinated. For NSmen who are mostly below 40 years of age, the national programme has been significantly ramped up, and they would be able to complete their vaccinations within the next month or so. These high vaccination rates among all servicemen will facilitate the resumption of training within the SAF.”
“MINDEF and the SAF works with a wide range of local companies, including SMEs, to support our requirements. Each year, an average of about $6 billion of our expenditure is paid out to local companies that provide us a variety of products and services. These include about 2,000 local SMEs, each with up to 200 employees, directly contracted by us. If we include local SME sub-contractors, for which we do not have detailed figures, the total number would be higher.”
“Similar to medical emergencies, health screening guidelines are also set up and regularly reviewed by another Specialist Advisory Board which comprises senior cardiologists from the public health sector. The Board takes into account the latest medical evidence and clinical best practices to recommend health screening guidelines which currently require regulars and IPPT-eligible NSmen aged 35 years and above to undergo Health Screening Programme (HSP) annually. The HSP includes blood and urine tests and a medical examination by a medical officer and further referrals to a specialist for investigation and treatment, if required. Typical conditions picked up include high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and in some cases ischaemic heart diseases (i.e. blockage to heart blood vessels).”
“The SAF’s system and protocols for emergency medical situations are set up and reviewed regularly by the SAF Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisory Board. This board, which comprises external emergency medicine specialists from the public health sector, helps ensure that our emergency medical response system remains responsive and robust. The system consists of multiple layers of response and support to deal with medical emergencies. Firstly, to enable immediate action by their peers on site, all recruits since 2010 have been trained to recognise sign of distress and to perform Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and operate the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) where needed. Ambulances can also be activated via a 24/7 dedicated hotline. Secondly, trained medical personnel are required to be present during all SAF exercises and some selected activities even deemed as low risk to provide coverage. During such covers, the medic will be equipped with his medic bag, AED, oxygen tank, and purpose built cooling pads. If medical teams are required for higher risk activities, they will be equipped additionally to perform on-site resuscitation care for a wide range of medical and surgical emergencies. In such activities, ambulances are also required to be on site. Ambulances are manned by dedicated teams comprising a paramedic and medic, and will evacuate persons experiencing medical emergencies to a restructured hospital’s emergency department or the nearest SAF medical centre, as they deem appropriate. All SAF medical centres are manned by medical officers and medics with equipment to deal with resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Emergency Airway Management.”
“Our relations with our friends, partners and surrounding countries are good. If I can mention some signature events, I think the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding which Prime Minister signed with President Trump then was a significant event because that was a 30-year agreement which now is extended. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia is certainly a very powerful instrument to build not only defence ties but ties between countries, and as well as physical assets in Shoalwater Bay and Greenvale, and we are committing resources there. Our agreements with India in terms of submarine rescue and the Singapore India-Thailand Maritime Exercise, or SITMEX, are emblematic of our trust; our agreements with China and the other Plus partners in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting, or ADMM. With our surrounding countries, we have good relations with the Malaysian Armed Forces, as well as the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and we will continue to work with them. But I think all of us are realistic. We do not mean that there are no differences. But from time to time, differences occur, and we will find channels to smooth over them and to continue to build ties. So, I would say that there are no spiky issues that we see on the horizon, but neither should we believe that it is all hunky-dory and, you know, we are all the best of pals. I mean, it is, as I have said, the systemic risks have gone up and, in the contestation, whether it is between the US, China and other aspects, I think we can expect, from time to time, bumpy rides as well as the ability for the SAF to have to respond when we need to.”
“I believe that this command structure guided by the right advice will put us in the best possible trajectory for this long-term enterprise. My colleagues Senior Ministers of State Heng Chee How and Zaqy Mohamad will address other points which Members have brought up. Mr Chairman, I want to conclude on two points. The clarion cry that we have heard in this House again and again, indeed, for this generation of Singaporeans facing this globally destructive and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, is to emerge stronger. But can we? For MINDEF/SAF, we must, if we are to secure our defence for another generation. Much of what I have talked about is looking far ahead, to a future in which we continue to have an SAF that can protect Singapore's interests and the well-being of Singaporeans despite the uncertainty and rising risks in our region and globally. I am deeply conscious, Mr Chairman and Members of this House, that defence takes up a sizeable share of the Government budget and not just the resources of our Budget but more importantly, he personal commitment of the servicemen and their families, something Ms Joan Pereira and Ms Hazel Poa talked about. I want to thank Members of this House and Singaporeans for your trust, your unstinting support and commitment to maintain a strong defence. All MINDEF and SAF can offer in return to you and the Singaporeans that we serve is this pledge to be good stewards of these investments and to keep Singapore safe for many years ahead. [Applause.]”
“And central to this strategy is for each unit to know how much it produces in emissions and waste or water consumption – just imagine if we ask our population to save water or electricity without measuring it. Therefore, MINDEF and SAF will install smart utility metering systems progressively for all our buildings. This will allow commanders of each unit to take ownership and give directions to make the SAF greener. When the smart metering is complete, unit commanders will be equipped to compare themselves with their peers and benchmarks and to reach their required targets. I must add that MINDEF and SAF are able to do this because we have direct command and control over all our units. This initiative to go greener needs to be sustained for the long-term and Mr Seah Kian Peng calls it a "long game". But it can be derailed by a few forces. Apathy and lack of awareness are two that I hope will be alleviated by the use of smart meters. But there is another force that can dissipate our efforts. If each group champions its favourite environmental cause, the SAF could be pulled in different and sometimes, unproductive directions. So, MINDEF and the SAF must start off on and maintain the correct trajectory, guided by science, data and evidence on effective outcomes. We must put in a structure to achieve these outcomes and not get distracted along the way. MINDEF has, therefore, decided to set up a new SAF Sustainability Office. It will report to the SAF's Chief of Staff-Joint Staff, who will assume the role of the SAF Chief Sustainability Officer. The office will be advised by an External Advisory Panel made up of experts in various fields.”
“The Army will replace its current administrative vehicle fleet with an all-electric one by 2030 – 400 of them. In tandem, charging infrastructure in camps and bases will be set up. The RSN will equip newer vessels like the Littoral Mission Vessels with energy-efficient LED lights, ozone-free water-mist fire suppression systems and look into using garbage converters to reduce waste volume. For air combat platforms, green fuels that meet the criteria of cost effectiveness are just not yet fully developed. Nevertheless, the RSAF will commence trials of green aviation fuel for some of our F-16s, so that we can understand the engineering, logistics and infrastructure works needed to scale up its use when these green fuels do become more cost effective. I have finished with carbon emissions. Let me talk about water. We will take further steps to reduce water consumption. We will progressively replace water fittings with more efficient ones which are at least three-ticks under the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. We will continue to invest in water recycling systems, such as those for vehicular washing. The goal is a 10% reduction in water consumption by 2030. Third, waste reduction. We will step up the "3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" initiative significantly. For food waste, we have already implemented segregation and recycling processes in 14 cookhouses. We will extend this to all cookhouses by 2024. We have put in place waste disposal contracts to recycle and repurpose electronic waste, waste oil, chemicals and scrap metal. The aim is to reduce waste by 30% by 2030. To succeed in this SAF-wide initiative, we must empower all units to contribute their best efforts.”
“MINDEF and SAF have gone through a thorough evaluation of our carbon and waste footprint and determined that we can meet and in major areas exceed, the national targets set under the SGP30. By 2030, MINDEF and SAF will reduce the growth of overall emissions by two-thirds compared to business as usual, using current systems. By 2050, we aim to halve the 2030 emissions in line with our national strategy. Let me give details on how these specific goals will be achieved. We will have three major green initiatives – carbon emissions, water and waste – with key targets for the SAF to go greener. First, carbon emissions. Today, our main sources of emissions are building infrastructure and military platforms – no surprise there. For buildings, we aim to attain the Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy standards for all new large and retrofitted buildings where feasible. We will also deploy more solar panels in SAF camps and bases by 2025 so that our solar adoption will be doubled, from 20 to 50 mega-watt peak, equivalent to the electricity consumed by 12,500 4-room households. These changes are significant and will reduce our carbon emissions growth by about 40% by 2030. For platforms, it is harder to reduce emissions, but we will do so when replacements are available and cost-effective, without any loss of operational effectiveness, compromise in security or sharp rise in defence spending. Let me repeat that because it is important. We will do so when replacements are available and cost effective, without any loss of operational effectiveness, compromise in security or sharp rise in defence spending. I choose my words carefully, not to over-promise unrealistic goals, but neither to evade responsibility to show results but we will do what we can.”
“Moving forward, the SAF will use an updated and refreshed Medical Classification System, which together with its PES system, will better match vocations and deployment of National Servicemen. The new system will take into account their civilian jobs and skillsets which Members of Parliament have asked about. Of course, these changes must not compromise safety or the operational readiness of the SAF. As I have said, Senior Minister of State Mr Heng Chee How will give more details. Mr Seah Kian Peng, Mr Henry Kwek and Mr Don Wee asked about climate change and sustainability and I would like to touch on this last topic. I spoke about some changes MINDEF and the SAF were already making at last year's Committee of Supply. And since then, the Government has unveiled the Singapore Green Plan 2030 (SGP30), a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore's national agenda on sustainable development. And rightly, Members of Parliament have asked what is MINDEF and SAF's response and involvement in SGP30. After all, it would be understandable, perhaps even excusable, given our mandate, to reduce our commitment or even opt out. I want to assure this House that MINDEF and SAF will more than do our part for SGP30. Let me first state why before going into the details. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed in the fastest time in human history – never seen before. What used to take years to accomplish was done in weeks. In fact, a few days the mRNA sequence was produced after the genome came out. But the consequences of extreme climate change are existential and cannot be mitigated, let alone solved, in weeks, months, even years.”
“In addition, the SAF will hire more cyber-specialists as regulars, mainly through our Military Domain Expert Scheme. As our platforms in the SAF evolve to run on new technology and as we add new roles, such as cyber-specialists and drone operators, indeed, more opportunities are created for our NSmen; and a number of Members of Parliament have made this point. And they reminded us that last year, I announced the set-up of the NS Review Committee headed by our Chief of Army and MINDEF's Deputy Secretary for Administration. They have done good work. Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How will provide an update in his speech shortly. But let me address points asked by Mr Chong Kee Hiong, Mr Mohd Fahmi and Mr Shawn Huang that with more jobs redesigned and using new technology, indeed, a larger pool of servicemen will now be able to contribute in areas for which they were previously not eligible or capable. And this has less to do with our manpower constraints but the expansion of capabilities and avenues in which they can contribute. For example, being deployed for maritime security and protection of installations, through the use of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned watch towers. More fundamentally, the NS Review Committee has highlighted that the old binary classification that many of us grew up with here of Combat-Fit or non-Combat-Fit – makes little sense when applied to roles such as unmanned vessel operators. Miss Rachel Ong used another term – "operational" and "non-operational". That also does not capture what we are talking about because an unmanned vessel operator has very little to do whether he is combat-fit or not combat-fit. He or she is actually very operational. So, the old system is outdated and retrogressive for many roles in the Next Gen SAF.”
“But for defence establishments, there will always be security concerns as we move to cloud-based systems. Nevertheless, after careful study, MINDEF and the SAF have decided that cloud computing is a key component to enhance effectiveness and reduce our need for manpower. These were the points touched on by Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Mr Patrick Tay. Security concerns will be addressed through tiering. 12.30 pm First, a MINDEF Commercial Cloud will roll out in mid-2021, starting with just administrative and maintenance functions, and this will benefit NSFs and NSmen with better and more responsive services. Beyond this, classified information will also leverage cloud systems. This was a big decision, after much study and debate. As the security standards for these areas need to be more stringent, such systems will be physically housed in MINDEF/SAF and separated from other day-to-day functions on the cloud. Mr Henry Kwek asked about the Integrated Cyber Command Force. Let me give updates. I am happy to report that the Cybersecurity Task Force (CSTF) has now been stood up under the command of Chief C4I, who reports directly to Chief of Defence Force (CDF). This has improved our ability to monitor and actively seek out potential threats and aggressors in the cyber domain. We have already announced that more NSmen will serve in the CSTF and we are working with academic institutions to raise their skills through initiatives, such as the University Work-Learn Programme with NUS and the Critical Infrastructure Security Showdown cybersecurity exercises – I am not sure this is showdown or shutdown but it says "showdown" here – with SUTD's iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security. I think this is something that Miss Rachal Ong mentioned.”
“And they were talking about terrorism. And they are spot on. The terrorist groups in the Middle East, particularly Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have been weakened. But paradoxically, success there can increase the threat here especially when the number of terrorists coming into our region has gone up, either returning or foreign, bringing with them networks, tactics and expertise in violent crimes and explosives. Our concern is that the collective intelligence and surveillance capability of ASEAN is a fraction of what the US and allies have in the Middle East. This gap can cost precious lives here. To close the gap and pre-empt terror attacks, MINDEF decided to stand up a multilateral Counter-Terrorism Information Facility (CTIF). I am happy to announce to this House that the facility has been completed and has begun operations despite COVID-19. The CTIF will bring together like-minded countries to share intelligence, provide early warning, monitoring and analysis capabilities in a centralised and coordinated manner. Mr Shawn Huang and Miss Rachel Ong asked about emerging areas, technology and the like. Let me deal them. We are already employing artificial intelligence, robotics and data analytics to enable new warfighting concepts and force multipliers for the Next Gen SAF. MINDEF has also recently established a “Digital Factory”. What is a "Digital Factory"? It allows our people, product developers and designers to come together under one roof, to collaborate on designing, testing and scaling secure digital solutions. And as a result, we have been able to build and deploy software three times faster than before. The Cloud. The Cloud will play a greater role in our digital future. I think no one disagrees with that.”
“With their help, the RSAF local training this year will be brought down to pre-COVID-19 levels. But let me sound a gentle note of caution. We have good friends overseas, but if for any reason – whether it is a worsened COVID-19 outbreak or complaints from their local community – Singaporeans must be prepared for local training to be stepped up. The SAF will do all it can to minimise this, but Singaporeans must be willing to make some sacrifices for our own security. Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Shawn Huang have asked for updates on the development of the Next Generation SAF. Despite some delays due to COVID-19, the SAF remains on track, I am happy to report. For the Army, Headquarters Sense and Strike was inaugurated last November. This is essentially a re-organisation of HQ Army Intelligence and HQ Singapore Artillery under 6 Division, to integrate capabilities so that both can “See Better” and “Shoot Faster” with less manpower. We also inaugurated the Navy’s Maritime Security and Response Flotilla, made up of refurbished patrol vessels. Four new purpose-built vessels will replace them in due course. The RSN will also deploy unmanned surface vessels and complete their sea trials later this year to complement manned ships for maritime security. For the RSAF, upgraded F-16s are expected to roll out in the coming months. The RSAF will also receive new helicopters this year – H225Ms to replace our Super Pumas and our Chinook 47Fs (CH-47Fs) to replace our older Chinooks. We remain on track to receive four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters around 2026 and for the RSAF to start basing their training in Guam from 2029 onwards. Mr Desmond Choo and Mr Shawn Huang made very incisive remarks about how we should not be distracted by COVID-19 against existing threats.”
“On training, which some members have asked about, some overseas and large-scale exercises like the RSAF’s Darwin detachment and the multilateral naval exercise RIMPAC have resumed, enabled by strict adherence to safe management measures, robust testing, and enhanced medical protocols. Others will take time to restart or reach pre-COVID levels. Locally, In-Camp Trainings (ICTs) have progressively picked up, up to 80% of pre-COVID levels – I think Mr Abdul Samad asked this – and are expected to resume fully by the later half of this year. The nation-wide vaccination programme will facilitate this resumption. There have been questions asked about RSAF training. Ms Sylvia Lim filed a cut. And I have addressed questions on RSAF training in this House last year as she had pointed out, which were put forth by Mr Sitoh Yih Pin and Dr Lim Wee Kiak. I do not intend to reprise those remarks, which Members can look up in the Hansard. I will give an update on RSAF training this year. The impact of COVID-19 was precipitous and to keep our fighter pilots current, the number of local training flights increased in 2020. Since October last year, we have brought down the number of local training flights to what they were before the pandemic – an average of 600 sorties each month. How did we do this? We had to call on the generosity and goodwill of foreign partners so that more of our pilots can train overseas. Please be reminded that they too have local populations in overseas training detachments, perhaps not as densely populated as Singapore, but communities there will have to bear with the noise generated by our planes. I want to thank the defence establishments and communities of these countries for helping us build our capabilities to defend Singapore – they are true friends.”
“We will maintain our record of absolute safety of our bio-labs built so far. There is another area in which steady investments paid rich dividends – our ability to exercise command and control over complex operations. At the height of our efforts against COVID-19, we deployed over 6,000 MINDEF/SAF personnel across a wide range of operations that Members of Parliament here described in your speeches. They included packing five million masks in two days, stabilising the outbreak in the foreign worker dormitories, helping set up the Community Care and Recovery Facilities, supporting contact tracing and medical logistics operations. Senior SAF commanders assumed leadership of several national taskforces, reporting to the Multi-Ministry Task Force. DSTA developed command and control systems for the national COVID-19 operations. These smooth operations occurred because this is what the SAF does, day in day out. All of us here who have served our National Service and In-Camp Trainings know this. We may grumble sometimes about these mobilisations as NSmen, but it keeps the machinery warm, so that when the SAF is activated, it ramps up into the lean and mean machine it needs to be. Even as the SAF contributed to the fight against COVID-19, it continued to maintain operations at a high level of readiness to keep Singapore safe from external threats. And Mr Alex Yam talked about this in his cut. Protection of key installations, maritime security, air defence, counter-terrorism efforts continued around the clock.”
“As an infectious agent, COVID-19 could have been much worse. Let me explain that. For example, mumps and measles are four to nine times more infectious. For lethality, SARS and MERS caused many more severe cases and deaths. Suppose we are unlucky, and we get a virus that is just as infectious as mumps and measles, and just as lethal as SARS and MERS. Unthinkable! But we should think of it. Can we plan on the basis that future pandemics or biological attacks will not be worse than COVID-19? Or can we “outsource” to or call another country for help when it happens? I think Members in this House would unanimously say surely not. It would be foolish to depend on others and we need to build capabilities within Singapore to protect ourselves. Many developed countries already have labs with the highest biosafety level – we call these BSL-4. And these were built many years ago. Since 2015, countries in Asia like China, Japan and Korea have also built these BSL-4 labs. In ASEAN, there are none. Singapore has BSL-3 labs, which prior to this pandemic, were assessed as adequate protection. MINDEF will therefore invest about $90 million for DSO working with MOH to upgrade our facilities within DSO to the highest biosafety level of BSL-4. The BSL-4 labs will require more stringent levels of air separation and must have the ability to quickly shut down and isolate that facility, when needed. It goes without saying that safety is paramount, and DSO will work with MOH to ensure that we will have the highest standards of protection required for BSL-4 labs. We will bring in third-party and overseas experts to advise us on the entire process – beginning from the design, to construction and thereafter, to validate the systems periodically.”
“Our capabilities against chemical threats have also been strengthened. Few Singaporeans know that DSO is a designated lab by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). What is OPCW? OPCW is the leading international organisation, 193 member states, that heads investigations when toxic substances are suspected to be present. Some examples are chlorine, sulfur mustard, sarin and even Novichok. There are only 12 OPCW-designated labs around the world capable of verifying chemical agents in both environmental and biomedical samples; and DSO is one of them. The fact that DSO is designated as part of this network speaks highly of our standards and competence internationally, not to mention the resources we would have locally if ever such an episode occurred in Singapore. There is another feather in our cap. The current Laboratory Head of OPCW, this is based in The Hague, Ms Chua Hoe Chee, is the first Singaporean to be appointed to this role. She is a long-time staff from DSO. Members would agree with me that those investments from our defence budget that went into building medical and scientific capabilities have paid for themselves many times over. Had we not learnt the right lessons following SARS, sarin, anthrax and other lethal chemical and biological incidents over the years, DSO would not have had the facilities, let alone the people and expertise to produce tests and other breakthroughs, when COVID-19 invaded our shores. I thank this group of dedicated professionals in the bio-defence and medical community, in MINDEF/SAF and nationally. We owe them a great debt. As Dr Wan Rizal asked, what can we learn from this? I think learning from this pandemic, MINDEF will further build up our laboratories and capabilities to deal with biological threats.”
“0 PCR kits are now commercially available and will be used with automation to conduct about 4,000 tests a day for the whole of Government. Within MINDEF and the SAF, DSO and the Medical Corps validated that saliva tests are shown to be as accurate as nasal swabs. As a result, the SAF has been using saliva tests to complement swab tests for monitoring of its soldiers since October last year. The RESOLUTE 2.0 PCR kits were also essential in dealing with the outbreaks in the migrant worker community. 12.15 pm Apart from PCR and antigen testing, serological testing of large numbers was needed to prevent our community care facilities and quarantine facilities from being overwhelmed. The Medical Corps and DSO staff worked with MOH to validate serological tests. At its peak, the joint taskforce worked with MOH to test nearly 40,000 sometimes, each week. We have had other breakthroughs. In March last year, DSO bio-staff harvested convalescent plasma from our COVID-19 patients here, then isolated and identified their neutralising antibodies. These antibodies are starting clinical trials with Government agencies, research institutes and biomedical companies. The key question is: “Where did this bio-defence and medical capability come from and how was it maintained?” The answers are simple: people and facilities. Over the years, we have kept up our investments to maintain 40 bio-personnel in DSO – not a large number, 40 – and about 250 doctors and paramedical staff in the Medical Corps. After SARS, we did not let that crisis go to waste, learnt the right lessons, built more secure bio-labs in DSO. Quietly and without fanfare, this group of men and women has stayed true to their mission. And it is just not against bio-threats.”
“Another signature security event that achieves this is the Shangri-La Dialogue. We had to cancel it in 2020 last year but this year, it is on track to being held physically, barring unforeseen circumstances. These engagements are not merely good to have but necessary to protect our interests. MINDEF and the SAF will step up these efforts even as contestation increases. Another epiphany from this COVID-19 pandemic is that we must continue to plan long term and, more importantly, steadily invest in emerging and novel capabilities precisely when we think we least need them. I think this was Mr Alex Yam's point. Nowhere has this wisdom been more vindicated than in MINDEF and SAF's ability to respond to COVID-19. I do not want this House to misunderstand. This is not hubris speaking but deep gratitude for the commitment to defence spending over many years. Let me illustrate. The virus first entered Singapore at the end of January 2020. Within the same month, DSO managed to get the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests up and running, fully operational. At the same time, general staff, with medical input from SAF Medical Corps' doctors, had to ensure continuity of operations. Through the waves of infections last year, and despite on-going SAF operations – apart from the brief suspension of basic military training (BMT) during the circuit breaker – only a small number of COVID-19 cases arose within the SAF. Member Ms Joan Pereira asked about this. They were detected, contained effectively, with no clusters formed. Mass testing by DSO for SAF soldiers, practical medical advice for cohorting and other safety measures were key weapons and confidence boosters in our fight against COVID-19. DSO has gone on to improve PCR and antigen testing. DSO and A*STAR's RESOLUTE 2.”
“What does it spell for Singapore? Greater uncertainty and risks. MINDEF's response to the heightened contestation is to remain friends with all. We continue to work with like-minded partners to forge a security architecture that is inclusive for big or small countries and in which disputes are resolved through peaceful means. We encourage countries to dialogue, cooperate and respect a rules-based international order. This is a motherhood statement of policy, but as Members here can well imagine, the actual implementation can be difficult and tricky. For Singapore's voice to be heard amid the cacophony, we must be useful to stronger voices, especially when tensions rise. Members would have read of our many interactions with other countries. Bilaterally, apart from strong relationships with both the United States and China, we are friends with many countries in areas of mutual interest. Some recent examples: with Australia, our Prime Minister signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2015. For defence, the expanded Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area and the Greenvale Training Area are under construction and on track to being completed by 2024 and 2028 respectively. With India, we signed agreements to enhance collaboration in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and submarine rescue support and cooperation. We also inaugurated the Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise in 2019. Apart from the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) this year, we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which remain strategically important to the regional security architecture. All these multilateral engagements increase Singapore's mindshare.”
“] This is the map that MINDEF staff came up with. I think it will be too much of a stretch to say that this will be the world henceforth but these "vaccine blocs" – blue, red or multi-coloured – are instructive about affiliations and even directions in our future. Vaccine diplomacy, as we see it, can extend to other systemic levers too. It has already involved technology, namely 5G, semi-conductor chips, but other areas like debt financing, supply chains, purchase of arms and defence equipment are up for grabs. It is difficult to conceive of a wholly-bifurcated world but neither will the post-COVID-19 world be a rainbow-coloured one hoped for, à la Globalisation 1.0. The US-China strategic rivalry will shift the global centre of gravity to our region, and I mean this physically for defence and security. Since 9/11, now two decades old, the United States and its allies have been committing resources and troops to the Middle East. This generation will witness a shift of hard assets to our region in Asia. Previous US defence secretaries have progressively committed more assets to the Indo-Pacific area. France and Germany have followed suit. The United Kingdom has declared that it would send a carrier strike group to the South China Sea this year. The Quad – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – conducted Exercise Malabar off the coast of India for the first time in 13 years. I have previously furnished details of Asia's military spending, which surpassed Europe's a decade ago and is now 40% higher. Asia's military spending is 40% higher than Europe's. I do not need to embellish these trends as Members of this House can readily imagine the potential consequences from the increasing militarisation in Asia, both from countries within and outside.”
“Our traditional security challenges remain and I will provide updates of those plans, but we must also deal decisively with additional threats on the horizon. The first obvious fact is that MINDEF's budget will see double-digit growth year on year – not seen since 1998 – but mainly because MINDEF spent about $1.5 billion less than planned in 2020, about 10% less, due to the delay of some projects. Let me mention some big-ticket items: SAFTI City, to be completed by 2024 instead of 2023; our Invincible-class submarines, delivery expected in mid-2022, six months late. If the post-COVID recovery ensues, MINDEF expects its budget to stabilise and return to a growth trajectory targeted and announced in previous years – about 3 to 4% nominal growth each year, to keep pace with inflation over a period. But more importantly, how does Singapore prepare for the security environment of a post-COVID-19 world? Many Members of Parliament have talked about and asked rightly – Dr Wan Rizal, Mr Abdul Samad, Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Shawn Huang. The pandemic stress-tested the existing global system and not all components will survive unscathed. Take the US-China strategic rivalry. It was already deteriorating before COVID-19 struck, but change of US administrations notwithstanding, the rivalry has in fact sharpened as a result of COVID-19. Instead of global co-operation, the geopolitical landscape became more fragmented. Vaccine diplomacy was one clear example. We will circulate the map. You could draw a coloured map of the world based on the vaccines they are using, whether produced in the United States, Europe, Russia, China or India. Mr Chairman, can I ask that the map be distributed. [A handout was distributed to hon Members. Please refer to Annex 1.”
“First, let me thank Members of this House for their comments, their input, their feedback and their positive comments about the SAF's contribution to this fight against COVID-19. My MINDEF colleagues, Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How and Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad and I are very thankful for these comments. I am sure our senior officials and commanders will be greatly encouraged by your positive comments. As Members of House have eloquently described in their speeches, this year's Committee of Supply and Budget Debates are being held in truly extraordinary circumstances. Mr Alex Yam, Miss Cheng Li Hui, Ms Joan Pereira talked about this. To wit, COVID-19, a once-in-a-century disruptive change agent, has become the defining issue of our time, with its spread to all corners of our world. Rustle through the pages of history and very few epochal events have had that kind of impact. I think, World Wars One and Two, certainly; the advent of the steam engine, electricity, the telegraph and the Internet. But those changes evolved over decades, not precipitously. Just barely a year later and our lifestyles have been changed – here and everywhere, some turned upside down. Singapore needed one circuit breaker, but many countries had two, three, even four or more imposed to contain this dreaded disease. Experts think that the post-COVID-19 world will never revert to status quo ante. A new normal beckons and it is to this future for which we must prepare and position Singapore. The phrase "never waste a good crisis" comes to mind. I will share during this Committee of Supply the lessons we are learning from the pandemic and the adjustments, even new directions, that MINDEF and the SAF will take.”
“The RSN’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) shares information with our neighbours on a regular basis to aid them in deterring possible perpetrators and to facilitate the successful responses to sea robbery attempts. On 16 March 2020 last year, IFC received information that a Bulk Carrier vessel "SAM JAGUAR" sighted perpetrators on-board, while she was transiting along the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait. As the incident occurred outside Singapore territorial waters, IFC shared the information with the Indonesian Navy’s HQ, who promptly acted and arrested three perpetrators. MINDEF and the SAF remain committed to the prevention of incidents of sea robbery and piracy. We will continue to improve our measures to deal with these threats, as well as work with the neighbouring littoral states to deal with maritime incidents and threats.”
“34 sea robbery incidents were reported in 20201. For valid year to year comparisons, these incidents refer to those that occurred in waters about 40 kilometres from Singapore. Similar to many previous years, none of them occurred within or originated from Singapore territorial waters. These numbers fluctuate widely from year to year but over the past decade, the trend of such incidents has not seen a rise, 28 on average annually. The majority of these robberies involve petty theft of items like crew belongings, engine parts, or scrap metal. The number of incidents correlate with economic hardships, and is expected to be exacerbated by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. As these incidents took place outside our territorial waters, Singapore agencies do not have the authority to directly intervene or apprehend these perpetrators. Nevertheless, our agencies, which include RSN, PCG and MPA, work in concert and make every effort to work with our neighbours for the security of our SLOCs. Some of these measures include escorting and boarding vessels that have been robbed at sea and subsequently call into our ports, so as to rule out any residual risks prior to docking. The Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre also serves as the Whole-of-Government set-up that maintains our maritime situational awareness, drives sense-making efforts, coordinates responses to potential maritime security threats, and shares vital real time information to surrounding countries and the shipping community at large. Singapore also has longstanding cooperation with the navies and coast guards of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to deal with transnational maritime piracy, robbery and other security threats. We continued to carry out patrols and share information despite the onset of COVID-19.”
“The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has incorporated environmental sustainability as a key factor within its organisational planning processes. This consideration is subject to the availability of alternate platforms and products which do not compromise SAF's core missions and operational readiness to protect Singapore’s sovereignty and the well-being of Singaporeans. Within this framework, the SAF's targets on environmental sustainability are also aligned with the energy and water efficiency and green mark building standards under the Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative. SAF's progress in achieving the targets is also tracked annually as part of this whole-of-government initiative. Some recent examples include the replacement of its fleet of administrative vehicle with hybrid models and electric vehicles when the island's infrastructure is ready; and the incorporation of energy efficient designs for its new buildings and facilities.”
“MPs will also remember that the RSAF's helicopters played important roles for security during events such as the inaugural Trump-Kim Summit in June 2018 and the 33rd ASEAN Summit in November 2018. The sight of Apache helicopters circling the skies over Sentosa, was a powerful deterrent against those bent on disrupting or causing harm during these high profile events. These successful missions would not have been possible without the rigorous training that the men and women of the RSAF go through on a regular basis to maintain their skills, proficiency and a high state of operational readiness. I thank Members and Singaporeans for their continued support to maintain an operationally ready and capable RSAF, for the protection of Singapore and Singaporeans.”
“Mindef had recently explained to Members of this House why it was critical for the RSAF to maintain its operational readiness for its fixed wing and fighter aircraft and that it had also done as much as possible for its pilots to train overseas or using simulators. The current training profile just ensures that our pilots maintain their proficiency. These same considerations apply to helicopter operations which the Member has asked about. And as we do for aircraft, the RSAF minimises noise through careful planning of flight routes during helicopter training. Despite these measures, there has been an increase in the number of complaints received in the last few months on helicopter training as more residents work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our helicopter squadrons must also ensure readiness and be on standby 24/7 for search and rescue missions. In the past year alone, RSAF’s helicopters were activated 16 times for medical evacuation. For each call, our helicopter aircrew had to be airborne within minutes and find their way to the distress location, to perform an evacuation or rescue, often in difficult conditions such as choppy waters or inclement weather. One such case in May last year was the rescue of Mr John Low, a Singaporean diving instructor who was cast adrift in the open sea for three days after his boat capsized. Upon receiving the call to action, the RSAF's helicopter search and rescue team swiftly brought Mr John Low, who was in critical condition, back to Singapore safely. I am sure we are all thankful that Mr Low has fully recovered and is in good health.”
“From April to August 2020, all in-camp trainings (ICT) call-ups, except those for critical security operations or national COVID-19 efforts, were suspended due to the COVID-19 situation. NSmen who hold jobs in the "gig economy" are eligible for Make-Up Pay similar to employed individuals in the formal economy. MINDEF does include their incentive quantums in the calculation of Make-Up Pay if the relevant supporting documents are submitted.”
“That is why, I mentioned that, in order for us to give us the confidence to be able to train at the tempo and at the pace that we want to, even locally, our assessment is that we will need mass testing. If you ask your tank platoons to mount up and go into their tanks, they cannot practice safe distancing. And therefore, you have to test all of them. The way to do that is to have tests which are acceptable, which are accurate and that is why I mentioned saliva testing, I mentioned oropharyngeal mid-turbinate testing, which can be more readily applied to larger groups, as well as other innovative methods of testing that we are working on.”
“Mr Speaker, again, very pertinent questions. Our assumption is, as I had said, on an operational level, critical functions cannot stop. And you do everything you can to make sure you are fully manned, all hands on deck, minimise infections; if there are infections, you get replacements. That is not negotiable and that will continue. But, of course, a large part of the SAF operations are what we call – not critical real time, but you still need to maintain the operational readiness, the level of training, that tempo. As all of us know, more realistic training, some of it can be done locally to the extent possible. For example, pilots, you can do simulators, you can fly. Yesterday, we just had a question on RSAF pilots and I asked for the indulgence of the public and Members to understand why we have to train locally. We have done everything possible to train as much as we can overseas, but what remains, has to be done here, we have done it and we have made adjustments. But for a lot of the army exercises, tanks, artilleries, our HIMARS operations, our infantry and so on and so forth, we have done that in overseas areas. That sometimes is subject to the other party. Let me just say that our attitude is not to take COVID-19 as a reason not to train. We keep knocking on doors to say we will take measures to protect your public and we will make sure that we are disciplined. We will make sure that we have testing but we want to start training. But, we can understand that it is subject to many factors. Be that as it may, where we can, we will continue and step up local training.”
“I was quite proud of them for being able to do that. Thankfully, they did not have to use the ICU, none of them got infected and they successfully completed that exercise. The RSAF pilots continue to hone their skills with regular local flying as well as overseas training and exercises. Later this month, the Air Force will be deploying about 200 personnel and 10 aircraft to train in Darwin, Australia for about two months. Our boys and women are there now, doing their two weeks of isolation before they start training. In tandem with the increase in training activities, the SAF has also added measures to enhance the detection of COVID-19 infections to mitigate their spread. From October, some ICT units will have their NSmen undergo swab tests if proximity to other individuals cannot be avoided during training. That is an added measure on top of the measures that I talked about. For these swab tests, DSO is assisting the SAF to use other methods which are more suited for mass testing. For example, oropharyngeal mid-turbinate swabs or OP-MT, or saliva testing. Initial results of our trials on both these different applications have been promising with regard to the acceptability and accuracy of these newer methods. While the SAF contributes to Singapore's fight against COVID-19, it will not be distracted from its core functions. The SAF recognises that Singapore's security challenges do not diminish during this COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, our assumption is that, would be aggressors can take advantage of the situation to do us harm. The SAF will therefore continue to be vigilant, maintain its level of operational readiness through realistic training and full-manning of critical units.”
“For other SAF training, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 corresponded to restrictions and other measures placed on the general public for safety and health reasons. For example, during the circuit breaker period, Basic Military Training or BMT and large-scale overseas exercises were suspended as well as some ICTs were deferred. Mr Tan asked how the SAF has coped. I think the SAF has coped well with these challenges brought about by COVID-19. In addition to maintaining its core functions and military training, the SAF strongly supported our nation's fight against COVID-19. More than 6,000 MINDEF/SAF personnel were mobilised and deployed across a wide range of national task forces and operations. They range from leading contact tracing, caring for migrant workers in dormitories, converting and managing SAF camps as community recovery facilities, and providing medical care to recovering patients. With the easing up of restrictions on the public, the SAF has progressively resumed more training and exercises, while continuing to take health and safety precautions. More ICTs have been conducted and some overseas training have resumed. For example, the Navy has just safely completed a 67-day deployment for the Rim of the Pacific, RIMPAC, which is a multinational naval exercise held in Honolulu. It was SAF's first overseas exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. And for this, the RSN had to plan, how do you ensure: one, that you can pick up detections while you are at sea; and two, care for infected servicemen or servicewomen while at sea, because you are out there and you may need ICU. It was an interesting exercise; it was an interesting challenge. They brought on a COVID-19 test kit, they put it on board and they converted their ship with ICU capabilities.”