By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 5 March 2014]
International media have reported that the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) was demonstrated to the SAF late last year in the US. At the last Committee of Supply, the Defence Minister stated that MINDEF was in the final stages of evaluating the JSF although the Minister did state that there were a number of caveats in assessing this purchase. Separately, towards the end of last year, it was confirmed that Indonesia had purchased advanced Apache attack choppers and the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank, platforms that were purchased by Singapore not too long ago.
In evaluating the purchase of the JSF, how does MINDEF consider the impact of the introduction of such new defence technologies into the region? How does MINDEF assess that its purchases do not alter the strategic dynamic such that it does not overly widen the capability gap beyond that required by the SAF to protect Singapore, and paradoxically generate insecurity in our neighbourhood, and encourage tit-for-tat purchases?
Committee to Strengthen NS
I signed up to attend a session of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) feedback session in the second half of last year. The session I attended as an NSman was facilitated by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Masagoes Zulkifli and like the NSmen in my group, I found the feedback process open and helpful in terms of soliciting feedback from NSmen on how to strengthen National Service.
In fact, one of the more commendable things the committee did after each session was to publicise the summary of each consultation with NSmen on the CSNS website. It may not have been possible to accommodate everyone’s inputs but the process itself was appreciated, with the exchanges robust, frank and open. My own interactions with a handful of NSmen found that in spite of the occasional disruptions associated with National Service duties and their civilian jobs, for many of them, there was a general appreciation for the institution of National Service and its importance.
I would like to ask the Minister if MINDEF could look into supporting NSmen beyond financial measures such as the civilian utility of skills picked up in the military domain (e.g. easier and more facilitative conversion standards from military to civilian licenses, equipment with direct civilian applications etc.).
Last year I raised the prospect of new citizens performing some form of National Service. Can the Minister update the house on the plans for the SAF volunteer corps announced last year?
Source: http://wp.sg/