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Singapore Armed Forces

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Singapore Armed Forces
Military manpower
Age & obligation18 years of age (compulsory service)
16.5 years of age (voluntary early enlistment)
conscript service obligation of 24 months
Availability
(males aged 15-49)		1,292,471 (2004 est.)
Fit for military service
(males aged 15-49)		934,317 (2004 est.)
Military expenditure
Dollar figureSGD 8.62 billion (FY04) [1]
Percent of GDP4.79% (FY04) [2]

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF, Malay: Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). It comes under the command and control of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), which is headed by the defence minister. The current defence minister is Teo Chee Hean.

Legislation

Under the SAF Act [3], the president has the authority to raise and maintain the SAF. The president also has the power to form, disband or amalgamate units within the SAF.

The Armed Forces Council (AFC) administers matters relating to the SAF under the SAF Act. The AFC consists of:

  • ministers who are responsible for defence matters and any other minister who has been assigned to assist them;
  • the Permanent Secretaries of MINDEF;
  • the Chief of Defence Force (CDF);
  • the Chief of Army (COA);
  • the Chief of Air Force (CAF);
  • the Chief of Navy (CNV); and
  • not more than four other members as the president may appoint if the president, acting in his discretion, concurs with the advice of the prime minister.

Organisation

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) consists of the:

  • Army (Three Combined Arms Divisions: 3 Div, 6 Div & 9 Div, and two "Commands" : 1 & 2 People's Defence Forces)
  • Air Force (Seventeen squadrons and four air bases)
  • Navy (Eight squadrons and two naval bases)

The SAF is headed by the CDF, a three-star general, and he is assisted by the chiefs of the respective services, who are two-star generals/admirals [4]. The current CDF is Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung. 

                 CDF
                  |
   Joint Staff ---|
                  | 
 _________________|____________
 |       |        |     |     |
FSA   Director   COA   CAF   CNV
        JOPD

Technology in the SAF

The SAF also utilises technology as "force-multipliers". It is widely recognised that the SAF is probably the most advanced force in Asia, in terms of C4I integration which will enable its CAD to fight in an integrated manner. The army, airforce and navy are linked via advanced datalinks and networks to enable coordinated attacks and support for various units and forces. It also possess the most capable military manufacturing industry, having built a 28-ton AFV, various self-propelled 155mm artillery, modernised all its fighter jets, built naval vessels and communication electronics. This enables the SAF to operate customised equipment designed for its unique requirements.

Intelligence

Intelligence in the SAF is well covered and little is known of the method of intelligence collection. However it is well-known that the SAF is probably the most advanced in SIGINT and imagery intelligence. Probably with the help of satellites or other technology. The Air Force also operates Israeli manufactured UAVs, equipped with thermal and optical sensors.

Weapons

Army

  • Infantry: SAR-80, M-16S1, M-16 Carbine, Ultimax SAW, MATADOR LAW, ARMBRUST LAW, SAR-21, FN-GPMG, CIS 40mm AGL, SPIKE ATGM, 84mm and 106mm Recoiless Guns. Mortars of all calibres.
  • Armour: 350 Modernised AMX-13SM-1 tanks, >120 Modernised Centurion Main Battle Tanks, >700 Modernised 25mm / 40mm AGLM113 APC, ~500 Bionix 28-ton AFV (25mm / 40mm AGL), AMX-10P/PAC90
  • Artillery: FH-2000/52-calibre (155mm towed/SP howitzer), FH-88 (155mm towed howitzer), M-71S 155mm Howitzer, SSPH-1 Primus (155mm Bionix-based SP Howitzer), 120mm Super-Rapid Mortar, other infantry mortars and 105mm Reserve Artillery

Air Force

  • 8 F-16 Block 15OC Upgraded A/B (Transferred to Thai AF WEF Dec 04)
  • 62 F-16Block 52 C/D
  • 45 F-5 S/T Upgraded Tiger II
  • 8 RF-5S Upgraded Tiger II
  • 4 E-2C AWACS
  • 4 KC-135 Air Refuelling/Transport
  • 5 Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol (armed with harpoons and torpedoes)
  • 4 Fokker-50 Transport
  • 10 C-130B/H and KC-130
  • 20 AH-64D Apache Longbow
  • 18 Boeing CH47 SD
  • 20 F-15T strike eagle
  • 4 Challenger (ex-Sjöormen) class submarines
  • 6 Formidable class stealth frigates
  • 6 Victory class missile corvettes
  • 6 Fearless class anti-submarine warfare patrol vessels
  • 6 Fearless class patrol vessels
  • 4 Endurance class amphibious transport docks
  • 4 Bedok (Landsort) class mine counter-measure vessels

Special Forces

Singapore is also well prepared for sub-conventional warfare such as terrorism. The army consists of at least one active commando battalion and an unknown number of Special Operations Force (SOF) members. The SOF is an elite unit, and its exact order of battle and personnel are highly classified. Little is known of their training, but many ex-SOF personnel can be spotted wearing airborne badges of various countries and some are trained by the US Navy SEAL.

Besides the SOF, the Naval Diving Unit is a Marines version of the SOF. Highly trained in air/land/sea operations, they are capable of diving/infiltrating for special operations. Most of them wear the prestigious US Navy SEAL badge, and in year 2000, a Singaporean trainee topped the US Navy SEAL course in his cohort.

References

  • "Singapore Ministry of Defense". Singapore Ministry of Defense. July 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • "Singapore Armed Forces Act". Singapore Statutes Online. January 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • "Structure of the SAF". MINDEF website. January 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • "Defence Policy". MINDEF website. January 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • "Singapore Budget 2004". Ministry of Finance website. March 4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • "Key Stats - Annual Statistics". Singapore Statistics. March 4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
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