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The SAF today that
value our independence and will fight to protect it. This signal, this unequivocal signal of
deterrence is priceless. The SAF has also responded well to security challenges, even
unexpected ones, as we have done in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden. Another "test" that
validated whether our SAF is ready was our response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004.
Because, if you remember, this happened on Boxing Day so there was no prior warning,
but we were able to quickly dispatch the Charlie-130 aircraft with supplies and helicopters to
assist in the efforts, as well as our LST or Landing Ship Tank. The RSS Endurance carried
over 400 people, more than 50 vehicles, and a large amount of relief supplies. This was
of course to Aceh and this was before we realised also that other parts were hit. Remember the
epicentre; it also affected Krabi and across Thailand. So within days, we had to send our
second LST. It was deployed, and then a third. At this time, our fourth and remaining LST
was deployed in the Northern Arabian Gulf. For your information, we only have four LSTs,
all deployed, 100% operational efficiency. Button pushed, all out, deployed, all ready,
men and machines working well. It is because we have invested steadily, trained our men,
made sure our systems are optimised that we are able to do this. And when called to do
more, the SAF will step up. Ms Ellen Lee asked about National Maritime Security System (NMSS)
and the SAF has stepped up to coordinate and control this maritime security system.
We have done well thus far, but MINDEF and the SAF must again be positioned strongly
for the future. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, Mr Nicholas Fang and Mr Pritam Singh asked about this.
The question is, "What are we building for the future?" So I thought instead of telling
you, I will try to show you, I think it is much easier. Let me illustrate with a schematic
of what the SAF might look like, the SAF in 2030. You will find this in your goodie bag. This particular
picture, and basically it says "Current", "Plan" and "Future". The SAF in 2030 will
be one with all parts highly connected. Which means that whether it's the fighter pilot
in the air, the sailor out on the oceans or the soldier on land, each will be able to
see the big picture, and beyond that, speak to each other to jointly target threats and
orchestrate responses. Let me repeat that - whether you are a fighter pilot, a sailor
on the oceans or a soldier on land, you will be able to see the big picture, speak
to each other, jointly target threats and orchestrate responses. Sounds simple but very,
very difficult to do. This concept of a networked force is now a reality, and the SAF is a front-runner
in global terms in realising the full potential of a networked military.
In 2030, our F-16s will have been upgraded with what we call the AESA radars, Active Electronically
Scanned Array radars, which are more precise, which can see further and see greater precision, and will have
more precise air-to-ground munitions. The F-16s upgraded with the F-15s, will be able
to defend our airspace ably. In addition, we would have acquired our next generation
fighter aircraft, which Mr Pritam Singh asked about. We are not quite ready to decide yet,
we will take our time because our F-16s and F-15s will serve us for the near term and
medium term. We will also have in place multi-layered air defence capabilities with the deployment
of the SPYDER and ASTER-30 Surface-to-Air Missiles. In other words, layers of
air defence. Our current KC-135 aerial tankers will have been replaced by the Airbus A330
Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which we have decided to acquire. The MRTT, or
A330, can hold 20% more fuel than our current KC-135s and will extend the range of our fighters
through Air-to-Air Refuelling. The Airbus 330 can also double up as a cargo and troop-lift
aircraft to deploy troops and equipment to overseas sites further away as we have done
in HADR operations. You will be familiar with the A330 because you fly in some of these
commercial planes. For our Navy, the two Type-218SG submarines
will be in operation, together with our two Archer-class submarines. Our frigates, operating
with their Sikorsky Naval Helicopters, and our new Littoral Mission Vessels, will
form the mainstay of our surface fleet. The Naval Helicopters have proved to be effective
and versatile for a wide range of missions. When we deployed them in the Gulf of Aden,
it validated their usefulness in counter-piracy missions and therefore the SAF has decided
to acquire two more Naval Helicopters. The SAF has also found the multi-role LST
to be an effective workhorse in our relief efforts, so whether it was to the
Indian Ocean Tsunami, the Northern Arabian Gulf, whether it was to relief efforts to elsewhere,
they were found to be effective. But if there was one limitation, it was in their carrying
capacity. We are therefore studying carefully the need for larger LSTs that can carry more
helicopters as well as more cargo. The Army in 2030 will certainly be more mobile,
talking about the army now.
In the next 10 years, the number of units that will operate on wheel or track platforms
will almost double. So whatever we have now, in 10 years they will double in numbers
and this will create more mobile units. This includes the Terrex Infantry Fighting Vehicles,
to deal with threats in urban environments. The Terrexes will be linked to UAVs to see
further, better and act more decisively. The Bionixes will also be upgraded and this will
be operationalised by 2030. By 2030, the SAF also expects that future
systems that are currently prototyped or thought about will be probably part of our day to day use.
Possibilities include multiple micro-UAVs for individual soldiers. Some of you may have
seen on YouTube these gyrocopters that are swarming. Very likely that individual soldiers
will be able to use them or robotic mules that can carry very heavy loads and follow
soldiers autonomously. I know that this will be every soldier's dream where a robot mule
carries your rifle but do not get ahead of yourself. This is for serious stuff. We will
continue to test these capabilities in realistic terrain and scenarios. For example, as we
did in Forging Sabre 2013, where we deployed the widest range of platforms
and precision munitions to date. F-15s, F-16s, Apaches and Chinook helicopters,
and our High Mobility Artilery Rocket System. I'm painting you a snapshot of the SAF in
2030 so that you can see what our defence spending is moving towards in visual terms.
And these capabilities of the SAF, if achieved by 2030, should provide Singaporeans the confidence
that Singapore can be protected. I say confidence, not certainty. The future is as always unpredictable.
I would also remind members of this House and Singaporeans who have asked whether we
are too far ahead or if we are too well protected that, as a small country of only 700 square
km and about 4 million residents, our vulnerabilities will always exist. We cannot erase these vulnerabilities.
We can mitigate them and prepare the best we can for our defences, with the resources
available. But we must be resilient enough to withstand the unforeseen. But most importantly,
whether we can deter would-be aggressors for another 50 years and achieve peace depends
not on advance systems or weaponry, no matter how sophisticated, but our people and their
resolve to defend our island home.