SAF not affected by manpower crunch but is transforming work practices to draw young S'poreans: Ng Eng Hen

The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) regular force has not been affected by the tight labour conditions and the pandemic-induced “Great Resignation”, but Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen acknowledged on Thursday (June 30) that attracting the younger generation is a challenge it is taking seriously.

And while Singapore's declining birth rates have raised questions over the shrinking pool of national servicemen, Dr Ng said that based on the Government’s projections, there will be enough operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) for SAF's operational needs.

In his annual interview ahead of SAF Day on July 1, Dr Ng revealed that recruitment for SAF regulars has not dipped. On the contrary, it has been “fairly attractive”, though he did not give figures on this.

He added that the number of scholarships given out across SAF, including for warrant officers and specialists, as well as for the Defence Science and Technology Agency and the DSO National Laboratories, has also been healthy.

Attrition rates have not gone up as well and are lower than normal.

Even though a manpower crunch is not seen in SAF, it is taking the challenge of continuing to attract a newer generation of Singaporeans “very seriously”, Dr Ng said.