Singapore Army Explained

Unit Name:Singapore Army
Country: Singapore
Type:Army
Role:Land warfare
Command Structure:Singapore Armed Forces
Size:40,000 active personnel[1]
240,000 reserve personnel[2]
Motto:'Ready, Decisive, Respected'
Equipment:See list
March:Singapore Infantry Regiment March
Identification Symbol Label:Flag
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Logo
Commander1:Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Commander1 Label:President of Singapore
Commander2:Ng Eng Hen[3]
Commander2 Label:Minister for Defence
Commander3:VADM Aaron Beng
Commander3 Label:Chief of Defence Force
Commander4:MG David Neo[4]
Commander4 Label:Chief of Army
Commander5:BG Tan Cheng Kwee
Commander5 Label:Chief of Staff – General Staff
Commander6:CWO Sanjee Singh
Commander6 Label:Sergeant Major of the Army
Website:Official website

The Singapore Army is the land service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The largest of the four branches of the SAF, the Singapore Army traces its origins to the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR), which was formed in 1957, when Singapore was still under British colonial rule. After Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965, the Singapore Army Bill was passed in Parliament on 23 December 1965, and National Service (NS) was subsequently introduced in 1967.[5] Mostly made up of conscripts, the Singapore Army can mobilise all operationally-ready military reservists in the event of war or national exigencies.

Mission

The mission of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is to deter armed aggression, and to secure a swift and decisive victory should deterrence fail. The Army is also tasked with conducting peace-time operations to further Singapore's national interests and foreign policy. These range from disaster relief to peacekeeping, hostage rescue and other contingencies.[6]

The Army views technology as a force-multiplier and a means to sustain combat power given Singapore's population constraints. Jointness across four branches of the SAF is integral to the Army's warfighting doctrine. Joint operations undertaken with the Navy and Air Force include amphibious landings and critical disaster relief operations in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

The Army has a technically proficient, relatively well-educated draftee pool and officer corps (non-commissioned and commissioned) reflective of the population at large, and has sought to leverage this to ease its transition into a more sophisticated, networked fighting force.[7]

Combat readiness is a linchpin of Army policy, and military exercises up to divisional level are conducted many times yearly, simulating full-spectrum operations, up to and including full-scale war. Divisional war games are a combined arms, tri-service affair involving the Navy and Air Force. Because training space is limited in Singapore—artillery fire would quickly traverse the island—some military exercises are conducted overseas. Reservists periodically[8] train abroad, their units regularly evaluated for combat readiness.[7] The Army also trains bilaterally with some host nations, and military exchanges are frequent. Training is billed as "tough, realistic and safe," with a premium on safety, given the sensitivity of military deaths in a largely conscript army.[6]

Following the revolution in military affairs, and in tandem with modernising its weapons systems, the Army is forging a transition to a more network-centric fighting doctrine that better integrates the Air Force and Navy.[9]

History

The Singapore Army originated with two infantry battalions, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR and 2 SIR), which were respectively formed in 1957 and 1962 when Singapore was still a British colony. After a merger with Malaysia which resulted in separation in 1965, Singapore passed the Singapore Army Bill in Parliament on 23 December 1965 and gained complete control of the two battalions from Malaysia in January 1966.[10] At the time, the Singapore Army had only the two infantry battalions and the old Singapore Volunteer Artillery Corps. Months later, the Army had a reserve force, the People's Defence Force, which was formed from an old volunteer unit mobilised for service during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. A third battalion, the 10th Battalion, People's Defence Force (10 PDF), was raised as a volunteer infantry reserve battalion.

In 1967, Parliament passed the National Service (Amendment) Act, introducing National Service (conscription) for all able-bodied young men aged 18 and above. In June 1967, the Singapore Army introduced its first artillery battalion, the 20th Singapore Artillery Battalion (20 SAB). Two new infantry battalions, the 3rd and 4th Battalions, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR and 4 SIR) were formed in August 1967. In November 1968, the Singapore Army's first armoured battalion, 41st Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (41 SAR), was formed. This was followed by the creation of the 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn) in December 1969.

In 1972, Parliament passed the Singapore Armed Forces Act to reorganise and consolidate the Singapore Armed Forces' disparate commands and administrative functions.[11] [12]

Description of logo

The emblem's escutcheon reads "Tentera Singapura" (meaning "Singapore Army" in Malay). The national coat of arms sits in its interior. The motto is "Yang Pertama Dan Utama" ("first and foremost" in Malay). Two stalks of laurel flank the escutcheon. The laurels are green for the Singapore Army and gold for the Singapore Armed Forces.

Operations

The Singapore Army has participated in peacekeeping operations overseas. In the aftermath of the Gulf War, Singapore contributed to the United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) formed in 1991. From May 2007 to June 2013, the Singapore Army deployed about 500 personnel to join the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in maintaining stability and assist in reconstruction in war-torn Afghanistan.[13] Since 2014, the Singapore Army has provided logistical support to the international coalition in the War against the Islamic State.[14]

List of chiefs of Army

See also: List of serving general and flag officers of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Years in office Name Vocation
1990 Boey Tak Hap
1990–1992 Artillery
1992–1995 Combat Engineers
1995–1998 Han Eng Juan Armour
1998–2000 Infantry
2000–2003 Artillery
2003–2007 Armour
2007–2010 Guards
2010–2011 Infantry
2011–2014 Signals
2014–2015 Guards
2015–2018 Infantry[15]
2018–2022 Artillery[16] [17]
2022–present Commandos[18]

Organisation

Singapore Army

Components
Organisation
History and Traditions
Military history of Singapore
Equipment
Weapons of the Singapore Army
Personnel
Singapore Armed Forces ranks

The Army is headed by the Chief of Army,[19] who is assisted by the Chief of Staff – General Staff[20] and the Sergeant Major of the Army. The General Staff consists of six branches from G1 to G6, as well as a National Service Affairs Department handling National Service issues, and an Army Safety Inspectorate. The six branches handle issues relating to personnel (G1), intelligence (G2), operations (G3), logistics (G4), plans (G5) and training (G6). The G1, G2, G3, G5, and G6 branches are each headed by an Assistant Chief of General Staff. Among the General Staff, there is also a Chief Systems Integration Officer and a Head of the Army Information Centre.

The commanders of Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Combat Service Support (CSS), the four main divisions, the two operational reserve divisions, the 15 formations of the Army, and the SAF Volunteer Corps also report to the Chief of Army.[21] [22] [23]

Divisions

The Army has six divisions, of which three are combined arms divisions, one is in charge of counter-terrorism and homeland security, and two are army operational reserves (AOR).

The three combined arms divisions are the 3rd Division (3 DIV), 6th Division (6 DIV) and 9th Division (9 DIV),[24] [25] each of which has active and reserve units that are operationally ready and capable of being mobilised in the event of war.[8]

The 2nd People's Defence Force (2 PDF) is in charge of counter-terrorism and homeland security, including the protection of key military and civilian installations around Singapore. It is also responsible for the coordination and secondment of military resources to civilian agencies in the event of a civil emergency.[26]

The two AOR divisions are the 21st Division (21 DIV)[27] and 25th Division (25 DIV).

Formations

The Army has 15 formations: Ammunition Command, Armour,[28] Army Intelligence, Army Medical Services, Artillery,[29] Combat Engineers, Commandos, Guards, Infantry, Maintenance and Engineering Support, Military Police Command, Personnel Command, Signals, Supply, and Transport.

Task forces

The Army has task forces such as the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Joint Task Force (JTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and the Army Deployment Force (ADF).[30]

Equipment

See main article: List of equipment of the Singaporean Army.

Camps and bases

See main article: List of Singapore Armed Forces bases.

See also

References

Notes
Bibliography
Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 15 February 2023. Routledge. London. 286-287. 9781032508955.
  2. Book: The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 15 February 2023. Routledge. London. 286-287. 9781032508955.
  3. Web site: Leadership Biographies . Ministry of Defence (Singapore) . 17 October 2022 . 10 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Army Organisation Structure . Ministry of Defence (Singapore) . 17 October 2022 . 5 October 2018.
  5. Web site: Singapore Army History . Ministry of Defence (Singapore) . 17 October 2022 . 13 March 2019.
  6. Web site: The Singapore Army- About Us . MINDEF . 21 May 2011 . 11 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170811224143/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_Us.html . live .
  7. Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p.65.
  8. Web site: NS Matters - Home. 24 December 2014. 25 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170525180700/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/nsmen. live.
  9. Web site: The 3rd Generation SAF . MINDEF . 23 August 2007 . 6 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006044312/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/3g/home.html . live .
  10. Web site: The Singapore Army Is Established. HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. 25 February 2016. 6 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306125900/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/b125c943-1be5-4f98-99e1-68586e83de29. live.
  11. Web site: Singapore Armed Forces Act. 25 February 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123052/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3A%22f7446be9-daef-4a09-bb63-8e8da8b61f4c%22%20Status%3Apublished%20Depth%3A0;rec=0. live.
  12. Web site: Singapore Armed Forces Come Into Effect. HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. 25 February 2016. 6 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306120939/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/48b7e860-acdd-4e2e-aa14-b5289405ddb0. live.
  13. Web site: Singapore Armed Forces Concludes Deployment in Afghanistan. 25 February 2016. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180135/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2013/jun/25jun13_nr.html. live.
  14. Web site: Joint Statement Issued by Partners at the Counter-ISIL Coalition Ministerial Meeting. Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs. Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC. 25 February 2016. 14 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514104158/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/12/234627.htm. live.
  15. News: Defence chief heads SAF promotion list. June 29, 2018. The Straits Times. Ganesan. Deepanraj.
  16. News: 12 March 2018. Singapore appoints new defence, army chiefs. Channel News Asia. 20 February 2021.
  17. Web site: 12 March 2018. Change in Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223194413/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_20180312001.pdf. 23 February 2021. 23 February 2021. MINDEF – National Archives of Singapore.
  18. Web site: Change in Chief of Army. 11 Feb 2022. 15 Feb 2022.
  19. Web site: Organisation Structure . 16 September 2019 . 29 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191029105604/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/army/about-the-army/organisation-structure . live .
  20. Web site: Organisation Structure. The Singapore Army. 24 December 2014. 28 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928002641/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_Us/Org_Structure.html. live.
  21. Web site: gov.sg – Directory. 24 December 2014. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224153511/http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/listing.asp?agency_subtype=dept&agency_id=0000000370. live.
  22. Web site: gov.sg – Directory. 24 December 2014. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224152833/http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/listing.asp?agency_subtype=dept&agency_id=0000000383. live.
  23. Web site: File Not Found. www.mindef.gov.sg. 16 September 2019. 10 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204106/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2011/mar/28mar11_news.html. live.
  24. Web site: gov.sg – Directory. 24 December 2014. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224152519/http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/listing.asp?agency_subtype=dept&agency_id=0000000376. live.
  25. See also https://web.archive.org/web/20091027094953/http://geocities.com/mindef123/Army.html, and Huxley, Defending the Lion City, 2000, pp. 123–126
  26. Web site: 2 People's Defence Force. The Singapore Army. 24 December 2014. 26 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150426011447/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/2PDF.html. live.
  27. Web site: Army . 18 May 2020 . 8 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200908111425/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/army/about-the-army/organisation-structure . live .
  28. Web site: Armour. The Singapore Army. 24 December 2014. 30 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141130193540/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Armour.html. live.
  29. Web site: Artillery. The Singapore Army. 24 December 2014. 2 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202210456/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Artillery.html. live.
  30. Web site: Koh . Jeremy . SAF to fight terror with rapid response . The Straits Times . July 2016 . 24 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180701054815/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/saf-to-fight-terror-with-rapid-response . 1 July 2018 . live .