Singapore Army

Last updated

Singapore Army
Tentera Singapura (Malay)
新加坡陆军 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தரைப்படை (Tamil)
Crest of Singapore Army.svg
Crest of the Singapore Army
Founded12 March 1957;67 years ago (1957-03-12)
CountryFlag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Type Army
Role Land warfare
Size40,000 active personnel [1]
240,000 reserve personnel [1]
Part of Singapore Armed Forces
Motto(s)'Ready, Decisive, Respected'
MarchTentera Singapura
Equipment See list
Engagements
See list
Website Official website
Commanders
President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen [6]
Chief of Defence Force VADM Aaron Beng [6]
Chief of Army MG David Neo [7] [6]
Chief of Staff – General Staff BG Tan Cheng Kwee [7]
Sergeant Major of the Army CWO Sanjee Singh [7] [6]
Insignia
Flag Singapore Army service flag.svg
Logo Our Singapore Army logo.jpg

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. [8] Mostly made up of conscripts, the Singapore Army can mobilise all operationally-ready military reservists in the event of war or national exigencies.

Contents

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. [9]

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. [10]

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 [11] train abroad, their units regularly evaluated for combat readiness. [10] 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. [9]

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. [12]

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. [8] [13] 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.[ citation needed ]

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. [8]

In 1972, Parliament passed the Singapore Armed Forces Act to reorganise and consolidate the Singapore Armed Forces' disparate commands and administrative functions. [14] [15]

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. [16] Since 2014, the Singapore Army has provided logistical support to the international coalition in the War against the Islamic State. [17]

List of chiefs of Army

Years in officeNameVocation
1990Boey Tak Hap[ citation needed ]
1990–1992 Ng Jui Ping Artillery
1992–1995 Lim Neo Chian Combat Engineers
1995–1998Han Eng Juan Armour [ citation needed ]
1998–2000 Lim Chuan Poh Infantry
2000–2003 Ng Yat Chung Artillery
2003–2007 Desmond Kuek Armour
2007–2010 Neo Kian Hong Guards
2010–2011 Chan Chun Sing Infantry
2011–2014 Ravinder Singh Signals
2014–2015 Perry Lim Guards
2015–2018 Melvyn Ong Guards [18]
2018–2022 Goh Si Hou Artillery [19] [20]
2022–present David Neo Commandos [21]

Organisation

Singapore Army
Flag of Singapore.svg
Components
Organisation
History and Traditions
Military history of Singapore
Equipment
Weapons of the Singapore Army
Personnel
Singapore Armed Forces ranks
Singapore location map (main island).svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Singapore Army – major combat units

The Army is headed by the Chief of Army, [22] who is assisted by the Chief of Staff – General Staff [23] 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. [7]

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. [24] [25] [26] [7]

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). [7]

The three combined arms divisions are the 3rd Division (3 DIV), 6th Division (6 DIV) and 9th Division (9 DIV), [27] [28] each of which has active and reserve units that are operationally ready and capable of being mobilised in the event of war. [11]

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. [29]

The two AOR divisions are the 21st Division (21 DIV) [30] and 25th Division (25 DIV). [30] [7]

Formations

The Army has 15 formations: Ammunition Command, Armour, [31] Army Intelligence, Army Medical Services, Artillery, [32] Combat Engineers, Commandos, Guards, Infantry, Maintenance and Engineering Support, Military Police Command, Personnel Command, Signals, Supply, and Transport. [7]

Task forces

The Army has task forces such as the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Joint Task Force (JTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) [7] and the Army Deployment Force (ADF). [33]

Equipment

Camps and bases

See also

Related Research Articles

A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Armed Forces</span> Military of Singapore

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the armed forces have four service branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Digital and Intelligence Service. An integrated force, it is one of the most capable, robust, technologically sophisticated and powerful militaries in the Southeast Asia region. The SAF is headed by the chief of defence force, appointed by the President, on the advice of the Cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SSPH Primus</span> Singaporean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer

The Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 Primus is a self-propelled howitzer armed with a 155 mm howitzer. Developed jointly by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics, it was officially inducted to the Singapore Artillery in 2004. Primus is derived from the Artillery motto In Oriente Primus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commandos (Singapore Army)</span> Military unit

Commandos is the special forces formation of the Singapore Army responsible for conducting special operations. Commandos are tasked with infiltrating behind enemy lines by raiding and reconnaissance operations using airborne raids, helicopter assault and sea landings. The formation is made up of only one battalion, the 1st Commando Battalion, and is based in Hendon Camp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guards (Singapore Army)</span> Rapid deployment infantry formation of the Singapore Army

Guards, also referred to as Guardsmen, is a rapid deployment elite infantry formation of the Singapore Army responsible for conducting air assault, expeditionary, and amphibious operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAF Military Police Command</span> Military police of Singapore

The SAF Military Police Command is the military police formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Established as the Singapore Armed Forces Provost Unit (SAFPU) in 1966, its primary role is to police duties to uphold standards of discipline within the SAF, and to provide security coverage for key SAF military installations and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) headquarters at Bukit Gombak.

The Specialist Cadet School is the military training centre for the Singapore Armed Forces' specialists, the equivalent of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in other countries' armed forces. Made up of twelve companies divided into three schools, it is located in Pasir Laba Camp in the Western Water Catchment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Combat Engineers</span> Military unit

The Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE) is a formation of the Singapore Army. Combat Engineers provide mobility by bridging gaps and clearing minefields to facilitate speedy advance of troops into enemy territory, and counter-mobility by constructing obstacles such as anti-tank ditches to impede the enemy's movement. The Combat Engineers also construct trenches, drainage systems and other related infrastructure to enhance the survivability of troops during operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ng Yat Chung</span> Singaporean business executive and former general

Ng Yat Chung is a Singaporean former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2003 and 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Officer Cadet School (Singapore)</span> Military training centre for officers in Singapore

The Officer Cadet School is a military training centre that trains commissioned officers for the four branches of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF): the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Digital and Intelligence Service.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has five rank schemes for active and reservist personnel, with a sixth for the auxiliaries of the SAF Volunteer Corps. The SAF has a unique rank structure as an integrated force, ranks are the same in the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS).

Singapore has had an history of armed conflict and personnel dating to the colonial period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signals (Singapore Army)</span> Military unit

Signals is the formation of the Singapore Army responsible for communications on multiple platforms and local networking on the battlefield. It also supports the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) by developing the capacity for network-centric warfare in the form of Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control (IKC2) and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Artillery</span> Military unit

The Artillery is a formation of the Singapore Army, comprising four active battalions—the 20th, 21st, 23rd and 24th Battalions—and an undisclosed number of reservist battalions. The primary role of the Artillery formation is to deliver timely, accurate and effective fire in support of the manoeuvre force to accomplish missions. As an indirect fire support system, the gunners rely on the forward observer and target acquisition elements to provide the target's location, which is then passed to the command post to direct the gunners to fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry Lim</span> Singaporean army general

Perry Lim Cheng Yeow is a Singaporean former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2015 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAF Volunteer Corps</span> Military unit

The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) is a uniformed volunteer auxiliary branch of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was established on 13 October 2014 to allow Singaporean women, first generation permanent residents and naturalised citizens, all of whom would otherwise not be subject to an obligation to serve national service, to contribute their part towards Singapore's defence. It also aims to strengthen support for national service by understanding the duties of national servicemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melvyn Ong</span> Singaporean military officer

Melvyn Ong Su Kiat is a Singaporean retired lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2018 and 2023.

The SAF Day Parade is an annual military parade and ceremony of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) held on 1 July in commemoration of the founding of the SAF. It is the second military parade in seniority to be held in Singapore next to the Singapore National Day Parade on 9 August. It is usually held at the SAFTI Military Institute in Jurong West, with the presence of the president of Singapore. Salutes are also taken by the prime minister of Singapore, and the chief of Defence Force.

Maintenance and Engineering Support is the formation of the Singapore Army responsible for military engineering maintenance. It provides maintenance and engineering support to the Army by ensuring high operational equipment readiness for the Army and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at sustainable budget and manpower resources. It also train technicians and operator-maintainers (OMers) to perform field repairs in military exercises and training.

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. pp. 286–287. ISBN   9781032508955.
  2. ↑ "1957 – Our First Battalion". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "1963 – Konfrontasi". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "1963 – Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "Fact Sheet: Recipients of the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act".
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Leadership Biographies". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 10 March 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Army Organisation Structure". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 5 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Singapore Army History". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 13 March 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  9. 1 2 "The Singapore Army- About Us". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  10. 1 2 Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p.65.
  11. 1 2 "NS Matters - Home". Archived from the original on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "The 3rd Generation SAF". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
  13. ↑ "The Singapore Army Is Established". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Act". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  15. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Come Into Effect". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Concludes Deployment in Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "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. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  18. ↑ Ganesan, Deepanraj (29 June 2018). "Defence chief heads SAF promotion list". The Straits Times.
  19. ↑ "Singapore appoints new defence, army chiefs". Channel News Asia. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Change in Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army" (PDF). MINDEF – National Archives of Singapore. 12 March 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Change in Chief of Army". 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  22. ↑ "Organisation Structure". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  23. ↑ "Organisation Structure". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  26. ↑ "File Not Found". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  27. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  28. ↑ See also , and Huxley, Defending the Lion City, 2000, pp. 123–126
  29. ↑ "2 People's Defence Force". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  30. 1 2 "Army". Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  31. ↑ "Armour". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Artillery". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  33. ↑ Koh, Jeremy (July 2016). "SAF to fight terror with rapid response". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
Bibliography
Further reading
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.