The next-generation SAF will be 'faster, heavier, deadlier': Ng Eng Hen
In building the next-generation SAF for the next decade and beyond, the Singapore Armed Forces “will do more, even when we have less”, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Friday (29 June).
Addressing reporters ahead of SAF Day, the Minister noted that from 2030, the SAF will have two-thirds of its current manpower. And there are two key strategies for doing more with less, “Platforms you get – hardware – and software – smart use of technology.”
“The next-generation army will be faster, heavier and deadlier, with greater firepower. By 2030, the proportion of manoeuvre units operating on tracked or wheeled platforms will double.”
Such efforts require years of planning ahead for the needs of the country. For example, Dr Ng noted that replacing platforms like F16 jets is not like buying a new car – it requires a “lead time of eight to ten years”.
But advance planning is needed if the Republic of Singapore Air Force is to continue to be one of the most capable air forces in the region, added Dr Ng.
Here are some of the other initiatives that Mindef is undertaking:
Submarine force renewal
The Republic of Singapore Navy will be replacing its current Archer-class and Challenger-class submarines with four new Type 218SG submarines from 2021 onwards.
The Type 218SG submarines will be the first new-build submarines acquired by the navy. They will have improved capabilities such as modern combat systems and Air Independent Propulsion systems, and will be able to carry a wider range of mission payloads.
3D printing rapid prototyping
MINDEF’s Maintenance and Engineering Support Formation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster in November last year, in order to accelerate the development of the SAF’s 3D printing capabilities.
With 3D printing, the SAF can potentially manufacture spare parts without relying on commercial suppliers, and can support innovation by rapidly creating and improving on prototypes for projects.
Integrated Forward Maintenance Hub
This maintenance hub system, the first of which was set up in March 2018 at Sungei Gedong Camp, enhances maintenance productivity of tracked vehicles by combining a depot-level maintenance workshop, a spares support warehouse and a technical support office.
The hub has resulted in a 20 per cent savings in manpower cost for on-site depot-level maintenance tasks and halved the time needed for repairs.
Better monitoring of vehicle conditions
The development of a Telemetry and Analytics System has allowed the army to improve its maintenance regime for vehicles by collecting and analysing data about the condition of vehicles.
The system has been used for the army’s fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and reduced technical investigation time from 48 hours to eight hours per drone.
Parachute flight simulator
Since 2014, the parachute flight simulator has been implemented by the Special Operations Tactical Support Centre at the Commando Training Institute.
The system simulates the parachuting experience through a series of mechanical, electronic and virtual reality systems, and allows trainees to experience parachuting before undergoing live parachuting.
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