Army exploring building new live firing complex to let regular S'poreans experience 'a slice of NS': Chan Chun Sing

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is exploring building another live firing range complex to allow NSmen to be able to book sessions to train for currency shoots, in the same vein as Individual Physical Proficiency Tests (IPPT) training, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing.

Another possibility being studied is for non-military personnel to experience some parts of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training, at this new live firing complex.

Chan made these comments during a Jun. 25 interview with the media where he spoke on topics such as the current global security climate, conscription for women and strengthening the National Service (NS) ecosystem.

Strengthening the NS ecosystem

On the NS ecosystem, Chan emphasised that its strength comes not just from a core of regulars, NSFs and NSmen, but also the Mindef reserves, and more broadly, the family members and employers who provide support and recognition to servicemen.

"The strength of our system is the entire nation," Chan noted.

Chan said Mindef had received suggestions on allowing regular Singaporeans to experience a slice of national service, and would be studying them.

One potential solution being explored to create such an opportunity, and more importantly to facilitate SAF training, is the building of a second Multi-Mission Range Complex (MMRC) in Singapore, a live firing range with seven ranges that can simulate various types of scenarios for participants.

Singapore currently has one such MMRC, opened in 2013 in Pasir Laba Camp in Jurong.

"The concept is, can we one day we have people coming back to maintain the currency of their skills, just as they do fitness conditioning, across the entire island? Can that new facility also be a chance for us to allow more people to experience a slice of national service?" suggested Chan.

Other areas being looked at to strengthen Singapore's defence ecosystem include identifying new training areas overseas and developing more bilateral exercises with defence partners, said Chan.

How will the global security climate affect Singaporeans?

Reporters asked Chan for his thoughts on how the current global security climate — especially given the recent Iran-Israel war — would impact everyday Singaporeans.

Chan replied that a more uncertain global security environment could lead to global supply chain disruptions and reinforce economic uncertainties, with implications on job opportunities, wages and the prices of commodities in Singapore.

But more importantly, such conflicts pose security threats to Singapore, said Chan.

If Iran retaliates against Israel and the U.S., this could cause collateral damage to other targets, stoke up emotions in the region, and lead to proxy attacks, he added.

On that front, the four services of the SAF verify and deal with threats on a daily basis, including conventional threats and those in cyberspace, Chan noted.

"Today, we're not at war, but neither are we at peace. Today, every day, the SAF is operating somewhere in between," he said.

Conscripting women

Chan was also asked if under his charge as defence minister, Singapore would explore enlisting women to address manpower needs.

"I don't think we are making that decision now," said Chan.

"But short of that decision, are there more opportunities for the women to see, to experience, to contribute? Oh yes, certainly," he added.

One such opportunity is the SAF Volunteer Corps, which accepts applications from women.

Addressing the issue hypothetically, Chan noted that Singapore's Enlistment Act technically allows for both males and females to be enlisted.

However, two conditions would have to be met in order for the trigger to be pulled on female conscription.

Firstly, Chan explained, there must be a real operational need for that. And secondly, it must be universally applied, so it is fair and equitable.

Short of conscription, Chan said that Mindef is encouraged by the strong support shown for the SAF Volunteer Corps.

"Today, for every one person selected for the SAF Volunteer Corps, we have eight applicants," he said.

Many good ideas come from NSF and NSmen: Chan

Chan also shared his optimism for the potential of the new generation of NSFs and NSmen serving the nation today, as many great ideas to improve the military's systems come from them.

In the past, the idea for the console-like design of controllers for the army's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drive-by-wire systems for their armoured vehicles came from pre-enlistees and polytechnic students, he said.

"People in my generation probably had trouble trying to use all their 10 fingers to [control the device], but the younger generation took to it like a fish to water," said Chan.

Chan also recalled how in the 1990s, when officers would prepare operations orders by hand, an NSmen who worked in IT showed them how to use a computer to do it quicker.

"It reinforces the point [to] never underestimate the power of our NSFs and NSmen in contributing good ideas and even bringing the best technologies from the civilian world [to] apply it to the military," said Chan.

"So I always have a great respect for our NSFs and NSmen and what they can do for us."

Top image from Chan Chun Sing/Facebook