Ministry of Defence

The Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (Mr Chan Chun Sing): The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will remain steadfast in safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty, peace, and security in a world marked by growing uncertainty, increasingly transactional relationships and eroding shared norms.

New and emerging security threats present opportunities to work with like-minded countries to strengthen preparedness and collective resilience. MINDEF will deepen our relevance to existing defence partners, while actively building and expanding collaborations with new ones.

We will contribute to multilateral platforms and partnerships that uphold respect for international law and preserve a rules-based order, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the ADMM-Plus, and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Advances in technology, particularly low-cost, unmanned, and dual-use systems, are redefining warfare. The SAF will continue to evolve its operational concepts, accelerate digital transformation, and adopt technologies that serve as force multipliers. We will establish new structures to drive the development of new capabilities, especially in advanced cybersecurity and unmanned platforms.

We will make judicious decisions on what to buy, build, or co-develop with partners. By strengthening indigenous capacities and developing unique value propositions, we will position ourselves as a partner of choice in capability building, technology innovation, and supply chain resilience.

National Service (NS) remains the cornerstone of our defence. The SAF will deploy service personnel more effectively, and adopt technologies that complement and amplify their strengths.

To enable our people to contribute to the best of their abilities, the SAF will refine our medical classification system, redesign vocations and roles, and provide more opportunities for Operationally Ready National Servicemen to apply their civilian expertise. We will continue to ensure that the training is rigorous, realistic and safe.

Every Singaporean plays a vital role in our defence. MINDEF will expand opportunities for volunteers of all ages, skillsets and backgrounds to contribute to national defence. Through Total Defence, we will better prepare Singaporeans for crises and disruptions, including through partnerships with government agencies, businesses and community groups, to uphold our collective resilience across generations.

MINDEF will refresh its approach to National Education, to deepen our public’s understanding of the changing external environment and Singapore’s fundamental realities, foster public support for national priorities and strengthen commitment to defence and NS.

MINDEF and the SAF will enhance strategic relevance, strengthen military readiness and build whole-of-nation resilience to ensure Singapore’s continued peace, security and success in a changing world.