Friday, September 16, 2016

[Defending the Lion City] SAF sets up high readiness unit in the face of new threats: Dr Ng




Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen: SAF sets up high readiness unit in the face of new threats
Report by Teo Jing Ting, Posted: 30 Jun 2016, Source article:  MINDEF

With an increasingly uncertain security environment and the rise of transnational challenges such as terrorism, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are stepping up their efforts in the areas of force readiness as well as defence capabilities and technologies.

This was the point that Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen brought across during a media interview on 28 Jun, ahead of SAF Day on 1 Jul.

Restructured and ready to meet new challenges

Highlighting that no country is immune to the effects of home-grown terrorism, Dr Ng said that even if the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was weakened in Iraq and Syria, it could lead to the return of thousands who had left ASEAN countries to join the terror group. This is a problem that is likely to plague countries in the next two decades.

In response, the SAF has set up the Army Deployment Force (ADF) - a high readiness force that will sharpen the SAF's ability to respond to terrorism and other challenges. 


The Army Deployment Force (ADF) will be a battalion-sized force comprising highly-trained soldiers with niche capabilities to reinforce the operations of the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and Home Team agencies in an expanded range of tasks.
PIC: MINDEF


"The basic task for the ADF is (to act as a) rapid response element, as speed is important in counter-terrorism... It's a battalion-sized force and will comprise highly-trained soldiers with niche capabilities and (the ability) to respond to terrorist threats in an urban setting," said Dr Ng. 

The ADF will be working with the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and Home Team agencies, in an expanded range of tasks.

For instance, if multiple attacks occur in Singapore, the SOTF and ADF will be activated to support the Home Team. In this scenario, the ADF can be employed with assault weapons and the Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles to surround an affected area and contain the armed attackers, while the SOTF closes in to neutralise them and rescue hostages.

Other areas in which the ADF could be activated include civil contingencies, regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions and Peace Support Operations.

Greater international cooperation

Working with other countries for information-sharing and to build trust is also crucial in guarding against terror attacks, said Dr Ng.

He cited the example of the proposed joint patrols between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the Sulu Sea. Singapore will be joining the patrols, and Dr Ng said he had also offered the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Information Fusion Centre (IFC) as a resource for the Sulu Sea patrols. The IFC is a regional maritime security information-sharing centre with linkages to more than 60 agencies in over 30 countries.

Dr Ng also announced that Singapore would be facilitating some proposals raised by Chinese Minister of National Defence General Chang Wanquan at the recent ASEAN-China Defence Minister's Informal Meeting. These include enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, having more exchanges and holding a maritime exercise between ASEAN and the Chinese military.

In light of the recent South China Sea disputes, Dr Ng added that the more ASEAN engaged with China, the better for all.

New military platforms


To boost the SAF's capabilities, a new Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) will be replacing the ULTRA M113 AFV, which has been in service since the early 70s. The new platform will provide the SAF's armoured forces with enhanced firepower, protection, mobility and situational awareness.


The new Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) which will be replacing the ULTRA M113 AFV.
PIC: MINDEF


Developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and local defence industry, this next generation AFV is equipped with systems not found in its predecessor, such as a laser rangefinder and automated firing control systems.

Those operating the next generation AFV will also enjoy greater ease of communication with their fellow soldiers.

Major (MAJ) Chee Hong Yi, a staff officer involved in the next generation AFV project, explained that the new vehicle is equipped with networked communication systems, allowing operators to communicate with one another through voice and data. A dismounted soldier from the M113, on the other hand, has to rely on hand signals to communicate with his counterparts in the vehicle.

Previously a company commander for a unit operating the M113, MAJ Chee spoke about how he had to bear the brunt of high wind chill during overseas exercises as the commander is positioned at the open hatch of the vehicle.

"(The closed-hatch design of the new AFV) will allow the commander to operate in a controlled environment (and no longer be exposed) to external elements," said MAJ Chee.

The SAF will also see the addition of a new platform - the Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV).



Called the Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV), the new vehicles will provide our motorised infantry combat support and combat service support forces with improved firepower, protection and situational awareness to enhance their survivability. The PCSV will be commissioned by 2017.
PIC: MINDEF


This suite of vehicles will provide improved firepower, protection and situational awareness for motorised infantry combat support and combat service support forces.

Military Expert (ME) 3 Gunasekaran, an assistant engineer from 9th Singapore Division/Headquarters Infantry, noted that the PCSV is versatile as it can carry a payload of up to 4,000kg for different operational needs. It also has a mounted remote-controlled weapon system.

"The body of the vehicle is armoured and can withstand small arms or landmines. We (also) have enhanced networking through the battlefield management system, which allows rapid information exchange on the battlefield," explained the 39-year-old.

Both the PCSV and the locally-developed AFV will be rolled out by 2017 and 2019 respectively.

More automated systems

For the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), its Super Pumas will be replaced with new helicopters, while the CH-47 Chinook helicopters will have a new variant.

Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) will also be relocated by 2030. Beyond the expansion of Changi and Tengah Air Base, the relocation will allow the SAF to build a modern, "smart" airbase from scratch, said Dr Ng. Greater automation and unmanned systems could be used in areas such as security and in the launch and recovery of aircraft.

"There are opportunities to design from inception so that the end result is a smart, 21st-century military airbase that is…more protected (and) has greater (airpower) projecting capabilities," said Dr Ng.

He added that there were also plans for an Enhanced Island Air Defence System to provide a comprehensive shield that protects Singapore against airborne threats.

Noting the good progress in the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) programme, Dr Ng revealed that a third LMV, Unity, will be launched later this year. So far, two LMVs - Independence and Sovereignty - have been launched. All eight LMVs are expected to be operational by 2020.

Other future additions in the RSN include two new Type 218SG submarines, which are slated to arrive post-2020, and replacements for the Landing Ships Tank. In line with the move towards greater automation, the RSN is planning for a fully unmanned fleet to replace its Mine-Counter Measure Vessels.

Stronger defence technology community

A national security centre will be set up by DSTA to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts, using data analytics and Command and Control systems, said Dr Ng. This will help to integrate responses by MINDEF and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) so that the SAF and Home Team can work more closely to combat terrorism.

He added that MINDEF will have a Cyber Security Operations Centre 2.0, containing advanced content scanning engines, data analytics and security assessment tools that will allow them to investigate and recover from possible cyber attacks.

To meet the greater need for defence technology, MINDEF will be launching a scholarship to attract the best minds in science and engineering to lead DSO National Laboratories and DSTA.

Dr Ng said: "(The MINDEF Defence Science Scholarship) will be for a selected few, but there will be a great responsibility, (the same) as we put on the SAF scholars who rise to become leaders."

Enhanced training opportunities

With the recent signing of the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in May, the SAF will be able to tap on the vast Australian land space - 10 times the size of Singapore - for training over 25 years.

Noting that this was a good training opportunity for national servicemen, Dr Ng said that that the SAF's training plans there include a combined arms live-firing range for the artillery, the armoured infantry and the RSAF's Apache helicopters, as well as an urban live-firing area much bigger than the Murai Urban Live-Firing Facility in Singapore.

Dr Ng also gave updates on the Committee to Strengthen National Service (NS) recommendations such as the NS Vocation Matching initiative and the NS Mark.

The former will allow pre-enlistees who are enlisting next year to indicate their interest for vocations across the SAF, Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Dr Ng noted that the organisations would try to better match the aptitude of NSFs with vocations of their interest, but emphasised that operational requirements came first.

The NS Mark accreditation scheme will seek to recognise more pro-NS employers through two tiers - NS Mark and NS Mark (Gold) - as a form of appreciation for their support. It will be launched in August.

Moving forward
While the SAF has done well in the last 50 years, Dr Ng assured that it would continue to vigorously and robustly defend Singapore, build friendships with other countries, and protect Singapore's interests.

All this, however, would not be possible without the support of Singaporeans, he added.

"What I've shared are measures to continually improve the SAF as our predecessors have done, so that we are always prepared and ready to meet today's challenges, as well as adapt to new challenges on the horizons, even unseen ones," said Dr Ng.


"We have to continually to do this: invest in resources (and) call upon Singaporeans to do their NS duties so that the SAF can protect Singaporeans and defend our nation."


Source article:  MINDEF


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