Singapore Army

The Singapore Army is the service of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) tasked with land operations. It is the largest of the three services and primarily a conscript army that in the event of national exigencies or war, morphs itself from peacetime to a war footing by mobilising almost all of its combined combat power by calling up operationally-ready military reservists.

Singapore Army
Tentera Singapura  (Malay)
新加坡陆军 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தரைப்படை (Tamil)
Singapore Armed Forces Crest
Founded12 March 1957 (1957-03-12)
Country Singapore
Allegiance President of Singapore
TypeArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size72,000 Regulars (including full-time National Servicemen NSFs)


312,500 Reservists (Operationally-Ready National Servicemen ORNSMen)
Part ofSingapore Armed Forces
Motto(s)Yang Pertama Dan Utama  (Malay)
(First and Foremost)
Ready Decisive Respected
MarchSingapore Infantry Regiment March
EngagementsIndonesia–Malaysia confrontation,[1][2][3]
Iraq War
Operation Enduring Freedom (as part of NATO-led ISAF)
International military intervention against ISIL
Commanders
PresidentHalimah Yacob
Minister for DefenceDr Ng Eng Hen
Chief of Defence ForceLieutenant General Melvyn Ong
Chief of ArmyMajor-General Goh Si Hou
Chief of Staff - General StaffBrigadier-General Kenneth Liow
Sergeant Major of the ArmyChief Warrant Officer Chua Hock Guan
Insignia
Flag

History

Two infantry regiments formed the nucleus of the Singapore Army. These were established pre-independence, in anticipation of self-rule following British decolonisation. The First Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) was formed in 1957, under British auspices. The Second Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR) followed in 1963. After a fraught merger with the Federation of Malaya and subsequent separation in 1965, newly independent Singapore formally established its army by passing the Singapore Army Bill in December 1965.[4]

In 1972, Parliament passed further legislation (the Singapore Armed Forces Act) to reorganise and consolidate the armed forces' disparate commands and administrative functions.[5][6]

The Army celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2017.

Military Deployments

Mission

The stated mission of the Singapore Armed Forces 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 three 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.

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 Republic of Singapore 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 modernizing 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]

Structure
Singapore Army

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

The Army is headed by the Chief of Army (COA).[13] In the past, the Army was head by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff (Army). Assisting him are the Chief of Staff, General Staff[14] and Commander, TRADOC (Army Training and Doctrine Command).[15] There are six branches of the General Staff (G1-G6), a National Service Affairs Department (G8) dealing with National Service issues, and an Inspectorate. The six branches handle manpower (G1), intelligence (G2), operations (G3), logistics (G4), planning (G5) and training (G6) respectively. Each department is headed by an Assistant Chief of the General Staff (ACGS). Also advising the Chief of Army are the Senior Specialist Staff Officers (SSSOs) of the various formations (Infantry, Guards, Armour, Commandos, Artillery, Combat Engineers, Maintenance & Engineering, Transport, Supply and Signals).[16][17]

Chief of Army

The position of Chief of Army is held by Major-General Goh Si Hou while Melvyn Ong promoted to Chief of Defence Force.

List of Chiefs of Army[18]
Years in office COA Vocation
1990–1990Boey Tak Hap
1990–1992Ng Jui PingArtillery
1992–1995Lim Neo ChianCombat Engineers
1995–1998Han Eng JuanArmour
1998–2000Lim Chuan PohInfantry
2000–2003Ng Yat ChungArtillery
2003–2007Desmond KuekArmour
2007–2010Neo Kian HongGuards
2010–2011Chan Chun SingInfantry
2011–2014Ravinder SinghSignals
2014–2015Perry LimGuards
2015–2018Melvyn OngGuards
2018–presentGoh Si HouArtillery

Combat Arms

The Army consists of seven Combat Arms, from which are derived Divisional and Non-divisional units:

These are bolstered by Combat Service Support Units comprising the following:

  • Army Intelligence
  • Army Medical Services
  • Army Maintenance and Engineering Support
  • Army Supply
  • Army Transport
  • Singapore Armed Forces Ammunition Command
  • Personnel Command (PERSCOM)

Combined-Arms Divisions

The Army's main organizational components are its Combined-Arms Divisions, of which there are three active:[21] the 3rd, 6th and 9th Divisions.[22] They include both active and reserve units that are operationally ready, all subject to mobilization orders in the event of war.[11]

3rd Singapore Division (motto: "Foremost and Utmost") consists of the following subordinate units:

  • HQ 3rd Singapore Division
  • 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 5th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 24th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 30th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade
  • 3rd Division Artillery HQ
  • 3rd Division Support Command
  • 30 Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE)
  • 3rd Division Air Defence Artillery Battalion
  • 3rd Signals Battalion

Under the Division-National Cadet Corps (NCC) affiliation scheme, NCC West District is affiliated to the 3rd Division.

6th Singapore Division (motto "Swift and Deadly") consists of the following subordinate units:

  • HQ 6th Singapore Division
  • 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 9th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 76th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 54th Singapore Armoured Brigade
  • 6th Division Artillery HQ
  • 6th Division Support Command
  • 31 SCE
  • 6th Division Air Defence Artillery Battalion
  • 6th Signals Battalion

Under the Division-NCC affiliation, NCC Central District is affiliated to the 6th Division.

9th Division/Infantry (motto: "Forging Ahead) consists of the following subordinate units:

Organisation:

  • HQ 9th Singapore Division
  • 10th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 12th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 56th Singapore Armoured Brigade
  • 9th Division Artillery HQ
  • 9th Division Support Command
  • 32 SCE
  • 9th Division Air Defence Artillery Battalion
  • 9th Signals Battalion

Under the Division-NCC affiliation, NCC East District is affiliated to the 9th Division/Infantry.

2 People's Defence Force

2 People's Defence Force (PDF) is responsible for homeland security, including that of key civilian installations and infrastructure. 2 PDF is also responsible for the coordination and secondment of military resources to civilian agencies in the event of a civil emergency.[23]

Organisation:

  • HQ 2 PDF
  • HQ 21 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • HQ 22 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • HQ 26 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • HQ 27 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • HQ 29 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • HQ 32 Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 2 PDF SIGS
  • 326 SCE
  • Island Defence Training Institute (IDTI)


Army Operational Reserve (AOR)

21st Division[24]

25th Division[25]

Non-Divisional Units, some appended to the General Staff
  • HQ Army Intelligence
  • HQ Signals
  • HQ Commandos
    • Commando Battalion (1CDO – 1st Commando Battalion)
    • Special Operations Task Force – Joint task force consisting of members from the Naval Diving Unit, Commandos and the Special Operations Force
  • Army Deployment Force - A high readiness, Regular only unit that provides the Army with specialised capabilities for a full spectrum of Operations. Including but not limited to, Support for Special Operations Task Force (SOTF), Peace-Time Contingency Operations (PTCO), Peace Support Operations (PSO) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
  • Aggressor Company – subordinate to TRADOC/ATEC, this company-sized detachment organizes itself according to the hypothesized enemy's order of battle and acts as the OPFOR in training evaluations. They are the 'red' opposing force in ATEC evaluations.
  • Military Medicine Institute
  • Force Medical Protection Command[26]
    • Biodefence Centre (BDFC) – Company-sized Epidemiology Unit
    • Medical Response Force (MRF) – Battalion-sized counter-chemical and counter-biological warfare unit, staffed by combat medics.
  • HQ Armour
    • 4th Singapore Armoured Brigade (Likely part of unknown Armoured Division)
    • 48 SAR – MBT Battalion (Operating Leopard 2SGs)
  • HQ Army Combat Engineer Group
  • HQ Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Explosives Defence Group

Equipment
Main article: List of equipment of the Singaporean Army
  • Another photo of Singapore Army's Leopard 2A4 at the Singapore Airshow 2008.
  • AMX-10PAC 90 with the 90mm main gun
  • SM-1 Launched Bridge (SLB)
  • M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV)
  • FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET)
  • The Vehicle Launched Bridge
  • The Bionix Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
  • The Bionix Launched Bridge (BLB)
  • The 105mm Giat LG-1 howitzer at the SAF Open House
  • FH-2000 in towing configuration
  • Open breech of FH-2000 as seen from loader position
  • The SLWH Pegasus at the Singapore Airshow 2008
  • The 155mm/39calibre Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH 1)
  • SPIKE ATGM complete with mock-up missile
  • The MATADOR (Man-portable Anti-Tank, Anti-DOoR)
  • The new CIS-50 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

See also

References
Notes
  1. "1957 – Our First Battalion". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  2. "1963 – Konfrontasi". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. "1963 – Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  4. "The Singapore Army Is Established". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  5. "Singapore Armed Forces Act". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  6. "Singapore Armed Forces Come Into Effect". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. "Singapore Armed Forces Concludes Deployment in Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  8. "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.
  9. "The Singapore Army- About Us". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  10. Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p.65.
  11. "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. "Organisation Structure". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  14. "Organisation Structure". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  15. "File Not Found". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  16. "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  17. "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  18. "Past Leadership". mindef.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  19. "Armour". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. "Artillery". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  22. See also , and Huxley, Defending the Lion City, 2000, pp. 123–126
  23. "2 People's Defence Force". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. "FORCE MEDICAL PROTECTION IN THE SAF" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
Bibliography
  • Tim, Huxley. Defending the Lion City: the Armed Forces of Singapore. Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty LTD, 2000. ISBN 1-86508-118-3.
Further reading
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