Impact of 2025 US National Security Strategy on Singapores Defence Interests and Strategic Positioning
Ministry of DefenceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of the 2025 US National Security Strategy’s shift toward hemispheric security, economic nationalism, and burden-shifting on Singapore's defense interests, as raised by Mr Yip Hon Weng. Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing responded that Singapore remains committed to the principle of self-reliance through a strong SAF and consistent long-term defense investments. He stated that while the US is an important partner with regional interests, Singapore does not assume others will come to its rescue and must safeguard its own survival. The Minister emphasized the role of defense diplomacy and constructive partnerships in fostering mutual understanding and regional peace. Ultimately, he noted that Singapore maintains its strategic relevance by building substantive and unique military capabilities that provide value to its international partners.
Transcript
8 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) how the 2025 US National Security Strategy's shift toward hemispheric security, economic nationalism and greater burden-shifting to partners will impact Singapore's defence interests; and (b) what broader strategic issues does this raise about Singapore's long-term positioning, relevance and vulnerabilities in a world where America increasingly narrows its definition of core interests.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: We adhere to the fundamental principle that the responsibility for the defence and security of Singapore must lie with Singaporeans. We do not plan on the assumption that others will come to our rescue when we are attacked. Neither do we rely on others to safeguard our survival and peace. This is the reason we believe in the importance of having a strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). It is why we have upheld mandatory National Service since 1967 and maintained steady levels of defence investments through the years, even when the security environment seems more peaceful.
Alongside our efforts to build capabilities to deter and defend against threats to our nation, we pursue defence diplomacy initiatives to build mutual understanding, foster mutually beneficial relations and engage in constructive partnerships with other countries and their militaries. We work with like-minded partners actively in bilateral and multilateral efforts that contribute to regional peace and security.
The United States (US) is one such important defence partner. While there could be some changes in priorities in the US' National Security Strategy from year to year, we take a long-term perspective to our relations with partners. We believe that the US has strategic interests in our region and can contribute to the region's peace and security. We will continue to engage the US on mutually beneficial collaborations.
Having said that, other countries would only find us a reliable, principled and worthy partner if we have real and substantive capabilities that can value-add to the relationship. To this end, the SAF must continue to build up our unique capabilities for our own operational and deterrence purposes, and for others to want to partner us.