Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is the military arm of the Total Defence of Singapore, as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. It has three components: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The SAF protects the interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Singapore from external threats.
The SAF relies heavily on a large pool of conscripts in the active and reserve forces. It has an active strength of around 71,600 personnel and is capable of mobilising over 350,000 reservists.
The mission of the SAF is to enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and, should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor.
To achieve this the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is committed to strengthening the military, manpower, and technological edge of the SAF, while fostering close defence relations with friendly countries in the region and beyond through dialogue, confidence-building and co-operation.
Defence Policy
The aim of Singapore's defence policy is to ensure that Singapore enjoys peace and stability, and that Singapore's sovereignty and territorial integrity are protected.
It also contributes to regional peace and security by means of diplomacy and deterrence. Singapore aims for good relations with other countries through diplomacy. These diplomatic efforts are wide-ranging and span many fields, not just in defence. Singapore aims to deter threats from emerging by contributing to regional resilience and through our concept of Total Defence.
In the 21st century, diplomacy and deterrence continue to be the fundamental tenets of Singapore's defence policy, but new security challenges that may arise to threaten Singapore's interests in the globalised era must also be faced.
The SAF will have to develop a broader range of capabilities and prepare itself to work with others to tackle some of these challenges. This means that the SAF will have to enhance its efforts in diplomacy and deterrence.
Strengthen Regional & International Friendships
Increasingly, countries in the region recognise the value of efforts to promote confidence-building, co-operation and dialogue on issues of common security concern. Through the years, the SAF has developed extensive and expanding links with armed forces in the region and beyond. The SAF aims to help promote greater understanding and trust among regional and extra-regional armed forces by using these links to help strengthen bilateral and multilateral defence co-operation and dialogue, and participating in confidence-building efforts.
Strengthen Total Defence
In the new security environment, Singapore could face a diverse range of new and unconventional threats. To tackle these challenges, all five components of Total Defence have been strengthened. The SAF maintains its conventional capabilities to ensure that the military component of Total Defence remains strong. At the same time, it will work more closely with other government agencies to develop an effective defence against new security challenges, especially the non-traditional threats that may arise.
Events
Early Years
1819 - The February Documents
1901 - The National Cadet Corps - Preparing Future Generations of Loyal Citizens and Able Leaders
1919 - Lest We Forget - Remembrance Day 11th November
1941 to 1950 (World War II)
1941 - War comes to Singapore
1941 - Disaster off Kuantan
1942 - The Surrender Documents
1942 - Sarimbun Beach Battle
1942 - Preparation for War
1942 - The British Surrender
1942 - Sook Ching WWII
1942 - The Changi Murals
1943 - Double Tenth Massacre
1943 - Death Railway
1943 - Double Tenth Massacre - The Elizabeth Choy Story
1944 - Operation Rimau
1944 - Lim Bo Seng
1945 - The End of Japanese Occupation
===1951 to 1980 (Birth of the SAF)
1957 - Our First Battalion
1959 - Singapore's State Arms, Flags and National Anthem
1961 - The SAF Crest - A Unifying Force
1963 - Konfrontasi
1963 - Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR
1965 - Independence of Singapore
1965 - Shouldering The Nation’s Defence
1965 - The Ministry of Interior and Defence
1966 - SAFTI - The Pioneering Training Institute of the SAF
1966 - Officer Cadet School (OCS) - First Intake of Officer Cadets
1966 - SAFTI - Singapore Armed Forces Training Centre
1966 - The Central Manpower Base
1966 - The Civilian War Memorial
1967 - In Defence of the Singapore Oasis: First Call-Up Since Independence
1967 - March 1967 National Service Begins
1967 - What was introduced in Mar 1967 that changed the lives of many young male Singaporeans?
1967 - Professional Navy Training
1967 - Beginnings of the Singapore Navy
1967 - April 1967 - Registration for call-up ended
1967 - National Service - The Medical Dimension
1967 - School of Artillery
1968 - Singapore Maritime Command
1968 - A Soldier's Lifeline: The School of Military Medicine
1968 - British Withdrawal
1968 - Building Up Of An Airforce
1968 - The SAF's Flying Training School
1969 - Singapore Armed Forces Day
1969 - Elites of the Singapore Armed Forces
1969 - Pioneers in SAF's Helicopter Operations
1969 - Air Defence Radar Unit
1969 - May 1969 Arrival of Cessna 172K Skyhawks - A boost to our Fledgling Air Force
1970 - The Need for Leaders
1970 - SAF State and Regimental Colours
1970 - Setting up of the Singapore Command and Staff College
1970 - Medical Mission to East Pakistan
1971 - The Beginning of the Five Power Defence Arrangements
1972 - Commemorating 30 Yrs of Recognition of NS men
1972 - SAFRA
1973 - Singapore- A responsible International Citizen
1974 - Brani Naval Base
1974 - The Laju Incident
1975 - Operation Thunderstorm
1975 - Missile Gunboats
1977 - Singapore Combat Engineers
1978 - The Flood of 1978
1978 - The Spyros Ship Disaster
1980 - Exercise Elang Indopura I
1980 - Singapore Guards - Elite Warriors of the SAF
Posters
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