Mr Chan views ops readiness training in first visit to SAF units as Defence Minister

What happens when there is a security threat on home soil? At the push of a button, the soldiers of the Army Deployment Force (ADF) spring into action.

Gear at the ready, they run through a gamut of weapon and equipment checks before rolling out in the Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles (PRVs) to take on any threat to the nation’s defence.

Mr Chan Chun Sing, who was recently appointed as Minister for Defence in May, caught the ADF troops in action as part of his visit to high readiness units across the Army, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Digital Intelligence Service (DIS) on 27 May.

At Nee Soon Camp, Mr Chan observed the ADF soldiers undergoing routine training, which prepares them to carry out a wide range of operations, including disaster relief and homeland security.

Earlier in the day, he also visited Exercise Rover, an outfield helicopter deployment exercise conducted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

This is his first visit to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) units as the new defence minister.

Speaking to media after his visit to the ADF, Mr Chan highlighted the importance of maintaining a fighting edge in the face of new and emerging threats.

“We are in a changed world (with) new challenges, new disruptions caused by technology, new forces we have to contend with. And this is why we have to come up with new ways to overcome our challenges,” said Mr Chan.

“I’m very happy to see the SAF constantly reexamine the way it does its operations, and that gives me confidence that we’ll be in good stead in time to come,” he added.

Ready for action anytime, anywhere

At Exercise Rover, Mr Chan witnessed the activation of AH-64D Apache helicopters in response to a simulated air defence threat.

The aircraft were deployed from the golf course at Sembawang Country Club, which had been converted into a temporary helicopter landing site as part of the exercise.

The outfield helicopter deployment exercise is organised by the RSAF’s Air Power Generation Command (APGC) and will take place from 22 to 31 May. It showcases the RSAF’s operational agility and readiness in safeguarding Singapore’s air space.

Maintaining a high readiness

As part of his visits to the high readiness units, Mr Chan visited Changi Naval Base where he observed the RSN’s Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) neutralise a simulated terror attack from sea.

At the DIS’ Joint Intelligence Command (JIC), Mr Chan was briefed on the unit’s intelligence support for counter-terrorism operations.

He also spoke with JIC personnel who carry out intelligence monitoring of the digital space to give the SAF foresight and insight in the decisions they make.

“I have every confidence that with the determination of the men and women in the SAF, we will, in time to come, be able to operationalise many of these new capabilities (that I’ve seen today), to address the new scenarios that we will have to confront in this changed world,” Mr Chan noted.