weapon systems, and to use them to fight smart. The SAF can draw upon
the strengths of the rising education profile of our National Servicemen
and position itself to exploit these new developments in warfare.
Resource Constraints
The continuing challenge Singapore faces as a small and resource-scarce
nation is this: How can we translate our limited resources into an effective
defence capability? This is a challenge for which new and creative solutions
need to be found continuously.
We can expect our future economic and social development to place a
greater strain on the resources that can be channelled to enhance our
defence efforts. For instance, economic development and population
growth will increase the demand for the limited amount of land that can
be committed to SAF training. As more industrial complexes, offices,
homes and recreational facilities are built, areas suitable for SAF training
and military exercises will diminish. We will have to make better use of
SAF training areas to train our personnel, keep them fighting fit and hone
their fighting skills. We will also have to continue to look for new training
areas overseas and use technology to fulfil a growing variety of training
requirements. Equally challenging is the problem of manpower. Our small
population will limit the pool of manpower available to our armed forces,
defence science establishments and defence industries. We shall have to
find innovative ways around these constraints, so that we can effectively
enhance our defence capabilities with our limited resources.
In a nutshell, we will have to deal with a more difficult environment in
the 21st Century. As a sovereign nation, we are responsible for our own
security and defence. We have to plan ahead to meet the new challenges
that may come our way, and be flexible and nimble so as to take full
advantage of new opportunities to further enhance the effectiveness of
our defences.