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Survival of Singapore still dependent on NS

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has started to commemorate “SAF50” — in conjunction with SG50, the Republic’s golden jubilee on Aug 9 — with a major SAF Day Parade, to be held today. While this is a time to rejoice, it is also timely to reflect on the role of National Service (NS). This is especially so, given the calls by some Singaporeans on social media and Internet forums for NS to be shortened or done away with, so that the SAF becomes an all-regular force. Others argue that enlistees ought to be given a choice on what they want to do while serving NS.

As the country looks to the next 50 years, Singaporeans must not allow popular or short-term benefits to undermine the fabric of the NS system. NS must prevail and remain credible. Photo: Tristan Loh

As the country looks to the next 50 years, Singaporeans must not allow popular or short-term benefits to undermine the fabric of the NS system. NS must prevail and remain credible. Photo: Tristan Loh

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The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has started to commemorate “SAF50” — in conjunction with SG50, the Republic’s golden jubilee on Aug 9 — with a major SAF Day Parade, to be held today. While this is a time to rejoice, it is also timely to reflect on the role of National Service (NS). This is especially so, given the calls by some Singaporeans on social media and Internet forums for NS to be shortened or done away with, so that the SAF becomes an all-regular force. Others argue that enlistees ought to be given a choice on what they want to do while serving NS.

I wonder if 50 years of peace have lured some Singaporeans into complacency. Have we forgotten the constant threats that we face? Years back, it was the possibility that our water supply could be cut off. Today, it is the aim of militant groups to create an Islamic Caliphate in the entire South-east Asian archipelago.

I hope my three grandsons, now aged between three and 13, will serve NS in its current form, and that NS will at least continue for the next 50 years. Why?

We have often been told that Singapore lacks physical “strategic depth” due to its small size. The city-state measures not more than 50km by 26km.

I am reminded of a conversation once between the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, Singapore’s first Defence Minister, and a senior Israeli military adviser on what would constitute a threat to the Republic. The adviser said a light mortar (which, in those days, had a maximum range of 4.6km) when fired into Singapore from across the Causeway would be deemed a threat. As young officers then, we would add that even a general-purpose machine gun, with an effective range of 1km, would be considered a threat.

This realisation pushed us to move rapidly from a purely defensive force to one that can carry the conflict, through power projection, beyond Singapore’s territory. This capability is a strategic imperative, as the Republic, because of its reliance on commerce and trade, can be “choked” to death. The country could perish even without being physically invaded.

It took Singapore more than 15 years from independence until 1981 to build the SAF from scratch to become a credible defence force, from when it held its first large-scale division exercise overseas to the present day, when it is seen as a well-oiled armed forces capable of projecting power externally.

ENHANCING SINGAPORE’S CONCEPTUAL STRATEGIC DEPTH

It is easy and convenient to say that with the current technology available to the SAF, it can afford to wind down and reduce the training commitment of national servicemen, on the assumption that technology can take over some of the roles played by soldiers. This is an erroneous argument.

The SAF’s ability to project combat power depends on two critical elements. The first is firepower, which incorporates defence equipment with advanced technology. The second and, I would argue, more critical element is manpower. This means boots on the ground. And here, we are not just talking about mere numbers, which a credible armed forces certainly needs in order to form its divisions and the entire gamut of supporting elements. It is critical that troops be well-disciplined and prepared, and this can only be the result of tough and realistic training.

An all-regular force is a non-starter, as Singapore’s economy can ill afford the large numbers needed for such an existential capability.

It is, therefore, the NSmen who form the bedrock of a force capable of power projection.

The hope is that Singapore will not have to demonstrate this capability in a war, but continue to use it to help others in humanitarian missions. The last time the SAF significantly projected its ships, aircraft and troops was in humanitarian missions in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

An SAF capable of power projection is a critical component of Singapore’s total defence, along with diplomacy and economic security. Together, they give assurance to Singaporeans that the Republic can survive a crisis, because it has international leverage and friends, sufficient money to ride out rough times, and the necessary defence capabilities to overcome threats.

More importantly, an SAF that can project power externally enhances Singapore’s conceptual strategic depth, a belief system that citizens hold about the security and survival of the state.

Singaporeans acutely know that they are disadvantaged, as the country is a small state with a lack of physical strategic depth. If Singaporeans had not been extraordinary, they would not have survived. The Republic has also benefited from a peaceful and development-oriented South-east Asia during its first 30 years, and for that, we should thank former Indonesian President Suharto.

Singapore made good use of the first few decades after its independence to strengthen its security, notably in the areas of diplomacy, building its financial reserves and establishing a credible SAF.

As the country looks to the next 50 years, Singaporeans must not allow popular or short-term benefits to undermine the fabric of the NS system. NS must prevail, given Singapore’s unique circumstances, and must remain credible. This can come about only through tough and realistic training, both technically and tactically, at all levels of command. Field manoeuvres at the brigade and division levels must be had regularly to hone the skills and judgment of the commanders. There are no shortcuts.

NS will also contribute significantly to the integration of male citizens and second-generation permanent residents through shared values and experiences. Thus, it is important to continue to uphold the sanctity of national-defence obligations. NS, in its present form, will remain relevant, and if we acknowledge this reality, it will continue to be the bedrock of Singapore’s future security, survival and success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

BG (Ret) Law Chwee Kiat served 30 years in the SAF. He retired from active service in 2000 and his last appointment was Commander, Training and Doctrine Command.

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