DEFENCE BUDGET TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE, TRAINING SAFETY AND STRENGTHEN NS

At the 2013 Committee of Supply (COS) debate for the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Acting Minister for Social and Family Development and Senior Minister of State for Defence Chan Chun Sing and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman took turns to update Parliament on defence-related issues and MINDEF's plans for the coming year. Here are the highlights of the debate on 11 Mar.

Improved medical support and welfare
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will be collaborating with Jurong Health Services (JHS) to provide specialised emergency medical services for soldiers, as well as training in this field for doctors and medics in the SAF, said Mr Chan.

JHS will run the new Ng Teng Fong (NTF) General Hospital, which will be located near the SAF's main training area in western Singapore. Partnering JHS will enhance medical support for soldiers training in the area, and allow the SAF to benchmark our standard of emergency care, he said.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital Divisional Chairman (Ambulance and Diagnostic Medicine), Associate Professor Eillyne Seow, added: "In engaging NTF and its group of doctors, the SAF will collaborate with them for medical training reviews, such as training materials and methods. The NTF doctors will also be involved in training the SAF doctors and medics." She co-led the team that reviewed the SAF medical system in 2012.

Updating Parliament on the findings of the medical system review, Mr Chan said that while the review concluded that the medical system, which covered medical classification and screening, is fundamentally sound, MINDEF will "continue to improve, and look for partnerships and initiatives to provide better care for our servicemen".

To assist critically injured servicemen over and above MINDEF/SAF's compensation and welfare framework, MINDEF recently started the SAF Care Fund to enable the public to show their support for severely disabled servicemen. Dr Ng shared that the fund now has $1 million in contributions, and MINDEF will provide a 1-to-1 matching grant of up to $2.5 million to support this effort. He emphasised that while MINDEF's compensation and welfare schemes provide significantly higher amounts and assistance than civilian schemes, this must not detract from its goal to prevent all injuries and death.

Focus on training safety
On the SAF's training and operational safety efforts, Dr Ng said that MINDEF is elevating its initial plan for an SAF Safety Inspectorate to a Directorate for Safety and Systems Review (SSRD). This Directorate will report directly to both the Permanent Secretary for Defence and the Chief of Defence Force, and it will set up an external panel to examine and evaluate the robustness of the SAF's structures, rules and safety culture. It will also provide recommendations for developing a strong and sustainable safety culture.

Colonel (NS) Mohamed Ismail, who commands the 12th Singapore Infantry Brigade and was a member of the Army Safety Review Board, welcomed the formation of the SSRD. The Chief Executive Officer of real estate company Propnex said: "The set up of the SSRD is another level of assurance to parents and Singaporeans... As the parent of a nine-year-old boy, I also want to be certain that the training is robust, but at the same time, no lives should be lost due to incidents that could be prevented."

More support for NSmen
Besides better medical and safety support, MINDEF plans to do more to recognise the efforts of Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and to find ways to help them maximise their abilities and balance their their National Service (NS) duties with other obligations, Dr Ng said.

To do so, MINDEF will set up a Committee to Strengthen National Service, chaired by Dr Ng, which will look at recognition benefits and support for NS. The committee will comprise two working groups, the "Support for NS" working group which will be chaired by Mr Chan and the "Recognition and Benefits for NS" working group chaired by Dr Maliki.

Dr Ng added that NSmen form the "backbone" of the SAF and we must keep NS strong by maintaining the commitment of our NSmen.

Enhancing training
In optimising land use, Mr Chan revealed that MINDEF invests in simulation systems such as those that will be used at the Multi-Mission Range Complex in Pasir Laba Camp. To be opened in the latter half of 2013, the four-storey indoor live-firing range consists of seven ranges in one building and includes two multi-tiered ranges that allow soldiers to shoot downwards from elevated positions and upwards at elevated targets.

Dr Maliki noted that the Murai Urban Live-Firing Facility, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) tower and radar simulators, and a shore-based emulator facility for the Navy will also be launched this year.

Mr Chan elaborated that MINDEF plans to consolidate its local training land in the western and eastern ends of Singapore. The western training area will be for live firing manoeuvring exercises, while Pulau Tekong in the east will be an offshore training plot.

Prudent defence spending
While Asia's defence expenditure has increased significantly over the last decade, Singapore continues to avoid sharp rises or dips in defence spending through a steady and prudent spending approach. Over the years, defence expenditure in Singapore has grown by an average of about four percent annually. Dr Ng highlighted: "Investing steadily over the long-term allows MINDEF to keep a constant lookout for platforms with cutting-edge capabilities that can provide Singapore with that strategic advantage."

Making reference to MINDEF joining the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Programme as a Security Cooperation Participant in 2004, Dr Ng explained that the JSF platform, also known as the F-35 fighter aircraft, has the potential to be the most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft.

He revealed that as the RSAF's F-5 fighter aircraft are nearing the end of their operational life, and that the F-16s are at their midway mark, the F-35 has been identified as a suitable aircraft to further modernise the RSAF's fighter fleet.

While he noted that MINDEF is in the final stages of evaluating the F-35, he added: "MINDEF will have to be satisfied that this state-of-the-art multi-role fighter meets our long-term needs, is on track to be operationally capable and, most importantly, is a cost-effective platform."

The Navy's ageing Challenger-class submarines are also due for replacement, Dr Ng said. Built in the 1960s, the submarines were acquired second-hand in the 1990s and are coming to the end of their operational lifespan. "The replacement submarines will have significantly improved capabilities and will enhance our ability to keep our sea lines of communication safe," he said.

Concluding his address in Parliament, Dr Ng said: "Our strong defence today is a result of continuous and strong support from members of this House and from Singaporeans alike to build a credible SAF.

"A strong defence is the bedrock upon which Singapore's peace and prosperity rests. We must continue to strengthen NS to build a solid defence."

Overview of initiatives

Medical support and welfare for servicemen

- Access to specialised emergency medical services as well as training in this field through collaboration with Jurong Health Services.

- Cardiac screening for soldiers who require further evaluation after screening by SAF doctors through a collaboration with the National Heart Centre.

- Exploration of new arrangement whereby experienced Family Physicians serve as in-house physicians in selected SAF medical centres, and also mentor junior SAF doctors.

- Creation of SAF Care Fund for severely disabled servicemen, with a 1:1 matching grant from MINDEF of up to $2.5 million.

Improving safety for servicemen

- Formation of a Directorate for Safety and Systems Review, with a mandate to review various systems in MINDEF and the SAF.

- Deployment of Unit Safety Officers to the remaining two-thirds of ground units, to ensure that servicemen comply with safety procedures.

- Deployment of more Regular trainers to improve the quality of training supervision.

Better support for NSmen

- Set up of a Committee to Strengthen National Service to look into recognition, benefits and support for NSmen.

Operations and training

-New fighter aircraft, possibly the Joint Strike Fighter, to modernise the fleet.

- Replacement of ageing Challenger-class submarines.

- New training facilities, including the Murai Urban Live-Firing Facility for coordinated live-firing training in urban setttings, the RSAF's tower and radar simulators, and a shore-based emulator facility for the Navy.

- Consolidation of local training land within the eastern and western parts of Singapore.

- Extension of LEARNet (an interactive learning platform for soldiers) progressively to the remaining SAF units.