Three Key Thrusts for the SAF in the Coming Year

As Singapore continues to play its part in helping to create an inclusive security architecture where countries in the region can enjoy peace and security, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will continue to direct its efforts in three keys: modernising weapons and equipment; refining organisational structure, concepts and training doctrines; and developing its people.>> In an interview with the media ahead of SAF Day, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said that transformation to the 3rd Generation SAF will link these three key areas.>> With rapid technological advancement and adaptation, the nature of military operations today has changed.>> According to Mr Teo, there is now more emphasis on small units, with the section commander having a lot more fire power at his disposal.>> "It's not just seven men with their machine guns and hand grenades," he explained. "The seven men have with them a much more powerful array of weapons and systems that they can carry with them; they also carry with them the whole network of the SAF.">> With current communication systems, they can call in fire from the artillery, air strikes from Apaches helicopters and F16 fighters, and even link up with naval platforms. The battle space has become a lot more integrated and complex, with the soldier on the ground being empowered to influence the fight.>> Mr Teo added: "In peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, the actions of individual soldiers also count, the initiative they are able to take, the leadership that they are able to show... So we want to train our small unit commanders with that kind of initiative, leadership and capability.