1. Singapore
Tackling
Challenges of
Defense and
Security

2. Problems with Defense and Security
• There must be defense in Singapore in order
to protect it from internal and external
threats. This keeps Singapore a stable and
peaceful country. Peace and stability would
enable foreign investor to build their
factories and offices in Singapore. This
would lead to economic growth. Singapore
don’t have any defense system after the
British troops left in 1971

3. • Singapore is not experienced in building up
a strong army. There is a lack of support
from the Singaporeans towards serving the
army. This includes the Chinese.

4. Measures to Solve Defense and
Security
• The Ministry of the Interior and Defense was
built under the management of Goh Keng
Swee. It was tasked to form a national
defense force.
• In 1967, the National Service Amendment
Bill. All Singaporean man aged 18 medically
fit must join National Service. After they
complete their National Service, they would
be known as reservist which is known as
Operationally Ready National Servicemen
today

5. • The reservist would be called out for short
training regularly. This ensures that they
maintained their military skills. The national
service man, the reservist and the armies
would form the citizen’s army.
• The Singapore Armed Force Training
Institute was set up to provide the military
training in 1966

6. • The government gained the ground support
for National Service by organizing campaign
and get-togethers at the community centers
so that the people can ask the member of
Parliament if they got doubts or fear
• The radio and television also tell the people
the importance of National Service
• The government used necessary procedure
to build the air force and navy.
• Overseas training and discussion with
foreign military advises were carried out to
improve Singapore’s military training skill

7. • The government also formed military
cooperation with foreign countries to
increase the total security
• Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Britain and
New Zealand signed a 5 Power Defense
Treaty to offer help with one another when
one of them face threats

8. Impact
• National Service promote Singaporean men
to bond which promotes racial harmony
• National Service also ensures that
Singapore had a combat-ready group of
army to defend the country when there is
threat