It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Singapore Armed Forces. (Discuss)

The Military of Singapore comprises of various armed forces, collectively known as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Supporting the combat role of the SAF, are other governmental organisations of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), such as the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the Central Manpower Base (CMPB), and the Military Security Department (MSD). Private companies also play a role in building up Singapore's military capabilities, particularly the government-linked Singapore Technologies Kinetics, which designed and built some of the SAF's more advanced weaponry and equipment based on specific local requirements which may be expensive for foreign companies to adapt and produce. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... It has been suggested that Military of Singapore be merged into this article or section. ... For the military meaning, see Armed force. ... It has been suggested that Military of Singapore be merged into this article or section. ... The Ministry of Defence (abbreviated MINDEF) is entrusted with overseeing the defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. ...

One of the most modernised in Asia, its current standing reflects the continued Singapore government's emphasize in military defence, with military expenditure dominating the government's budget annually. The defence budget accounts for approximately 28% of government operating expenditures (or 5% of GDP). In 2003, governmental expenditures on national security and foreign relations totalled S$9,248.9 million, 48% of total expenditures for that year. Out of this expenditure, 5% is dedicated to military research and development. World map showing location of Asia Asia is the central and eastern part of Eurasia, defined by subtracting Europe from Eurasia. ... The Government of Singapore is formed by the political party which gains a 50% majority in the general elections held in Singapore at least once every four years. ... 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Security measures taken to protect the Houses of Parliament in London, England. ... The term is used to describe the interaction taking place among governments, when striving to establish mutual contacts, another word for diplomacy. ...

History

Singapore's military role stems from its strategic geographical location, an asset exploited by local settlers and foreign colonists alike. Archaeological excavations have discovered remnants of forts and other forms of military fortifications in pre-colonial Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore, selected Singapore to establish a new colony with the security concerns of British interests in the Far East in mind. Thus, Singapore played an active role in British military interests for decades, particular in the years leading up to the world wars. Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles (born 6 July 1781 on the ship Ann off the coast of Jamaica – died 5 July 1826 in London, England) was the founder of the city (now country) of Singapore, and is one of the best-known of the many Britons who created the largest... Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia and Southeast Asia combined, sometimes including also the easternmost territories of Russia, i. ...

Defence policy

Deterrence and diplomacy have been the fundamental tenets of Singapore's military defence policy [1]. Through the years, the military has developed extensive links with armed forces from other countries. In recent years, there has also been an increased emphasis in military operations other than war, notably peace-keeping operations in East Timor and the Persian Gulf and disaster relief in the Indian Ocean earthquake-tsunami of 2004. The December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hits Thailand The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, was an undersea earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC (07:58:53 local time) on December 26, 2004. ...

Total Defence

In 1984, the Total Defence concept was introduced to augment the need for the entire country, and not just the military, to contribute and work together in national defence issues. Consisting of five aspects, namely Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence, and Psychological Defence, it is actively promoted annually in schools as well as to the general public through schemes, programmes, courses as well as utilising the mass media to spread its message. 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Total Defence logo Total Defence is a concept introduced in Singapore in 1984 to improve readiness in matters related to defence and national security, and is partly based on similar concepts in Switzerland and Sweden. ...

Manpower

The size of Singapore's resident population meant that a military fully composed of career militarymen was not adequate to meet the country's military needs. National service was thus introduced in 1967 to build up the required manpower resouces in a relatively quick and cost effective manner. Today, a career military force of 20,000 is supplemented by 55,000 men on active National Service. Another 225,000 reservists who have completed active National Service and are placed on a 13 years stand-by period. These reservists, also known as Operationally Ready NSMen, are liable for up to 40 days of active service every work year. National Service was the name given to the system of military conscription employed in Great Britain between 1949 and 1960. ... 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Conscription is a general term for involuntary labour demanded by some established authority, e. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

Military service

All fit and able-bodied men are enlisted into two years of compulsory military service, and are known as National Servicemen (Fulltime) (NSF). Service is compulsory for all able-bodied young men who has reached 16½ years of age and not on deferment for educational reasons. Upon enlistment, combat fit recruits have to go through three to six months of basic military training. The bulk of these recruits will have their training conducted at Basic Military Training Centre on the offshore island of Pulau Tekong.

Upon completion of basic training, servicemen will be promoted to the rank of private and will be reassigned to various units and camps within Singapore.

Upon completion of two years of national service, servicemen will be known as NSmen and are part of the SAF's reserves. Most NSmen will have to go through a 10-year cycle of military training with their assigned reservist unit. NSmen are called up annually for training, courses and physical fitness tests.

Training

All combatant troops go through a 3-month Basic Military Training (BMT). This is where they will learn field craft, basic jungle survival, camouflaging, operating their personal weapon and basic marksmanship. After which, potential officers and specialists are selected to go through either a 9-month officer cadet course or a 21-week infantry specialist course, while the rest are posted to various units and schools to continue their vocational training till their operationally-ready date (ORD), when they will be put into reserve units and continue their civilian lives.

Due to limited space within Singapore's territorial land and waters, some training programmes and facilities are located overseas, including in Thailand, Brunei, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Australia, New Zealand. France and the United States. In addition, join military exercises are regularly conducted with all ASEAN nations and with the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of China (Taiwan), and India. National motto: None Official language Mandarin Chinese Capital and largest city Taipei President Chen Shui-bian Premier Frank Hsieh Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 138th 35,980 km² 2. ... Main languages See Languages of ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong of Singapore Area  - Total 4,480,000 km2 Population  - Total (2004)  - Density 550,000,000 122. ... National motto: None Official language Mandarin Chinese Capital and largest city Taipei President Chen Shui-bian Premier Frank Hsieh Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 138th 35,980 km² 2. ...

Foreign Defence Relations

Singapore is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangement together with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Designed to replace the former defense role of the British in the Singapore-Malaysia area, the arrangement obligates members to consult in the event of external threat and provides for stationing Commonwealth forces in Singapore. The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) are a defence relationship established by an agreement between the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore signed in 1971, whereby the five nations will consult each other in the event of external aggression or threat of attack against Malaysia or Singapore. ...

Singapore has consistently supported a strong U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 1990, the U.S. and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which allows the U.S. access to Singapore facilities at Paya Lebar Airbase and the Sembawang wharves. Under the MOU, a U.S. Navy logistics unit was established in Singapore in 1992; U.S. fighter aircraft deploy periodically to Singapore for exercises, and a number of U.S. military vessels visit Singapore. The MOU was amended in 1999 to permit U.S. naval vessels to berth at the Changi Naval Base, which was completed in early 2001. 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a legal document describing an agreement between parties. ... Starting off as the civilian Paya Lebar International Airport in 1955, it was rechristened Paya Lebar Air Base 12 years later with an Air Movement Centre that handles passengers and cargo arriving on RSAF flights, MINDEF charter flights and foreign military aircraft. ... Categories: Wikipedia cleanup | Stub | Places in Singapore ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... 1992 was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Changi Naval Base (CNB) is the latest naval facility of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and was built to replace Brani Naval Base. ...

See also

• Defence Science and Technology Agency
• National Cadet Corps

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is the oldest and most established uniformed youth organisation in Singapore. ...

References and links

• Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
• US Department of State