March 03, 2022, 03:52 PM
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The "Next Gen" Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is set to include new howitzers and invincible-class submarines, according to a Facebook post by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
It's all supposed to come together by 2040, when the SAF will have "new assets and capabilities to better defend Singapore’s land, waters and skies," read the post.
"These include Next Gen Infantry Battalions and new armoured tracked carriers and howitzers for The Singapore Army, Multi-Role Combat Vessels, Invincible-class submarines, and unmanned vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy, as well as F-15SG and F-35 fighter jets and Next Gen Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for The Republic of Singapore Air Force."
It was accompanied by infographics depicting what the SAF would have at its disposal in the future.
The images included silhouettes of Next Gen armoured tracked carriers, unmanned ground vehicles, as well as Next Gen infantry battalion soldiers.
Image from MINDEF Facebook
Image from MINDEF Facebook
The post also noted gaps in SAF's capabilities, specifically that of the digital domain.
"To complete that SAF 2040, a fourth service is needed: the Digital and Intelligence Service or DIS," it read.
Unmanned vehicles to be deployed
A separate post on Facebook by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) announced the acquisition of an Orbiter 4 Close-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
Image from RSAF Facebook
It will further enhance the SAF's air intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities said the RSAF.
More unmanned systems across SAF
The unmanned vehicles and assets in both MINDEF's and RSAF's social media posts underline Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen's speech during the Mar. 2 Committee of Supply debates that the SAF of the future would have more unmanned systems across the army, navy, and air force.
"This year, our Navy will deploy the first tranche of maritime security unmanned surface vessels to patrol the local waters," said Ng, adding that the navy was set to replace its mine countermeasure vessels with an unmanned system in 2027.
Ng added that Singapore's navy is among the first few navies in the world to operate unmanned maritime systems and noted that the systems were designed and integrated locally.
"This next-generation SAF will provide for this and the next generation for our children and theirs greater confidence in dealing with potential aggressors to fulfil the SAF's core mission", he said.
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Top image from MINDEF's Facebook page
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