SAF has to come up with new ways to overcome challenges: Chan Chun Sing, Singapore News
Chan was speaking to reporters at Nee Soon Camp, the final stop in his morning visit of high readiness units across all four SAF services — his first since being sworn into his new appointment on May 23.
"We are in a changed world. There are new challenges, disruptions because of technology, and new forces that we have to content with," said Chan.
"But it is also why we have come up new ways to overcome our challenges."
During his visit to Nee Soon Camp, Chan observed troopers from the Army Deployment Force (ADF) conduct their routine training to sharpen their response to peacetime contingencies, such as terrorism threats and disaster relief.
The all-regular unit were put through the paces, accounting for strength and equipment, before they were deployed in peacekeeper protected response vehicles.
Chan said that he is heartened that the SAF is not resting on its laurels, and is "constantly re-examining the way it does its operations".
"It's not just about planning for today's situation that's important for the SAF. It's also about planning forward," he added.
Earlier in the morning, Chan, together with Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad and Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, observed how AH-64D Apache helicopter pilots and air crew from the Republic of Singapore Air Force scrambled to respond to a simulated air threat.
It is part of Exercise Rover, run by RSAD's Air Power Generation Command from May 22 to 31.
A part of Sembawang Country Club's golf course was converted into a temporary helicopter deployment area — capable of supporting missions such as air defence and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Mindef said that as part of the exercise, AH-64D, H225M and CH-47 helicopters were activated to respond to various scenarios.
The minister also visited the Republic of Singapore Navy's training, where the Maritime Security Task Force simulated how they neutralised a terrorist attack against Singapore from the sea.
As for the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), he was briefed on its intelligence support for counter-terrorism operations. He also interacted with the DIS personnel who conduct 24/7 intelligence monitoring.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Chan acknowledged that the armed forces capabilities can take years to go from being conceptualised to operational.
"Many of the things that I saw this morning, some of them were capabilities that we were talking about many years ago," he said.
"And today it's a joy to see them being operational."
Chan, a former Education Minister, was moved to helm the defence ministry in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's new Cabinet on May 21.
A former army chief before entering politics in 2011, Chan was also Senior Minister of State for Defence and Second Minister for Defence.
[[nid:714267]]
chingshijie@asiaone.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
13 hours ago
- CNA
Australia says US missile purchase shows commitment to defence spending
SYDNEY: Australia said its A$2 billion (US$1.3 billion) purchase of supersonic missiles from the United States underscores its commitment to defence spending, though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted US calls to agree to a target of 3.5 per cent. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy on Thursday (Jul 3) confirmed the purchase of AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 missiles, developed by American defence company Raytheon Technologies. They will be used by Australia's F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets and a new army brigade focused on striking aerial targets up to 500km away, he added. Albanese, who is yet to meet President Donald Trump, has rebuffed a US request to agree to lift long-term defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product. It's forecast to rise to 2.3 per cent by 2033. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who met with her US counterpart Marco Rubio on Tuesday in Washington, said Australia took a "capability approach" and had already committed to the largest peacetime increase in defence funding. "I know there will be more capability required, I think we all understand that, and we will fund the capability Australia needs," she said on Thursday in a television interview with Sky News Australia. Albanese's scheduled meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 was cancelled when Trump left the summit early due to tensions between Israel and Iran. Wong said the security allies were working to reschedule a leaders' meeting. Seeking to respond to China's build-up of its military, Albanese pledged A$74 billion (US$47 billion) last year to buy missiles from Europe and the US, including A$21 billion to establish a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise in Australia. The sale of 400 missiles to Australia through the US foreign military sales program was notified to the US Congress in April. A further US$2 billion proposed sale of US electronic warfare systems and equipment for Australia's F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler fighter jets was notified in June.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
US halts key Ukraine weapons deliveries amid Russian barrage
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The move came after a review of US munitions stockpiles and amid concerns they had fallen too low. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is halting the transfer of artillery rounds and air defences to Ukraine, depriving the country of much-needed weapons as it endures stepped-up missile and drone attacks from Russia. The White House confirmed a Politico report on the stoppage, which said the move came after a review of US munitions stockpiles and amid concerns they had fallen too low. The move was spearheaded by Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Mr Elbridge Colby, Politico said. Mr Colby has long argued that the US is overextended abroad militarily, and has joined Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in repeatedly saying that European allies should assume greater responsibility for the continent's security, including the defence of Ukraine. 'This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,' White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in an emailed statement confirming the report. 'The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran.' The decision comes as Ukraine struggles to repel large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes across the country. On June 29, Ukraine said Russia fired a record 537 missiles and drones in 'massive' overnight attacks. Russia has intensified its attacks in recent weeks as President Vladimir Putin defies US and European calls to accept a ceasefire to allow for peace talks. Among the weapons that are being paused are 155mm artillery shells, Stinger shoulder-fired missiles, Patriots and Hellfire missiles, PBS Newshour's Nick Schiffrin reported. The Biden administration used two methods to send weapons to Kyiv, relying on drawdowns of equipment from US stockpiles in the short term and allocating money to purchase new equipment. While the US has billions of dollars in congressional funding left over from the Biden administration to supply Ukraine weapons, those could take years for manufacture and delivery. US President Donald Trump has previously signalled he'd be willing to cut support, and he hasn't sought more money from lawmakers. The Pentagon didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the move. The State Department referred questions to the Pentagon, which is responsible for weapons shipments. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
What's that smell? Trump unveils new fragrances with his name as the brand
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The fragrances come in a black box with gold lettering for men and a red box with gold lettering for women. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump is adding fragrances to the growing list of merchandise that bear his name, raising fresh questions about his use of the presidential bully pulpit to hawk products that enrich him and his family. The former New York real estate tycoon, who moved back into the White House in January for his second term, announced this week that a new Trump-branded cologne for men and perfume for women were available for purchase. 'Trump Fragrances are here. They're called 'Victory 45-47' because they're all about Winning, Strength and Success,' he wrote on his Truth Social account on June 30. Mr Trump, a Republican, served as the 45th US president from 2017-2021 and became the country's 47th president with his 2024 win. The fragrances come in a black box with gold lettering for men and a red box with gold lettering for women. The fragrance containers look like mini statues of Mr Trump. Reaction was swift online, with critics accusing the president of corruption. 'There's never been, and I don't think in American history, someone who's stealing so much in plain sight - grifting and graft,' US senator Mark Warner of Virginia said in a video shared on X. Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, noted Mr Trump was advertising the fragrances while Republicans sought to reduce Medicare benefits for low-income Americans in his budget Bill. 'Senate Democrats are fighting to prevent President Trump from kicking 17 million people off their health care, and he's promoting his line of fragrances,' Mr Welch said on X. The White House declined to comment about the criticism. The scents are the most recent products that the Trump family has unveiled. In June, his family business licensed its name to launch a US Mobile service and a US$499 (S$635) smartphone . The phone was promoted as sleek and gold, Mr Trump's preferred colour. The president has said he put his business interests in a trust managed by his children to avoid conflicts of interest, but income from such business ventures will eventually enrich the president, who sits atop the series of Trump family firms. Mr Trump receives income from licensing deals, crypto projects, golf clubs and other ventures. He has also hawked gold sneakers and a 'God bless the USA Bible.' REUTERS
