Singapore Army

Singapore Army
Tentera Singapura  (Malay)
新加坡陆军部队 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தரைப்படை (Tamil)
Singapore Armed Forces Crest
Founded 12 March 1957 (1957-03-12)
Country  Singapore
Type Army
Size 72,000 (active, including 35,000 conscripts)
950,000+ (reserve)[1]
Part of Singapore Armed Forces
Motto(s) Yang Pertama Dan Utama  (Malay)
(First and Foremost)
Ready Decisive Respected
Engagements Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation,[2][3][4]
Iraq War
Operation Enduring Freedom (as part of NATO-led ISAF)
International military intervention against ISIL
Commanders
Chief of Army Brigadier-General Goh Si Hou
Notable
commanders		 Winston Choo
Boey Tak Hup
Ng Jui Ping
Lim Neo Chian
Han Eng Juan
Lim Chuan Poh
Ng Yat Chung
Desmond Kuek
Neo Kian Hong
Chan Chun Sing
Ravinder Singh
Perry Lim
Melvyn Ong
Insignia
Flag

The Singapore Army is the service of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) tasked with land operations. It is the largest of the three Services. The Singaporean army is primarily a conscript army that, in the event of war, mobilises most of its combat power by calling up military reservists.

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.[5]

In 1972, Parliament passed further legislation (the Singapore Armed Forces Act) to reorganise and consolidate the armed forces' disparate commands and administrative functions.[6][7]

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.[10]

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.[11]

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

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.[13]

Organisation

Singapore Army
Flag of the Republic of Singapore
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). 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, Engineers and Signals).[16][17]

Chief of Army (COA)

Years in Office COA Vocation Post-COA Career
2018–Goh Si HouArtillery
2015–2018Melvyn OngInfantryChief of Defence Force
2014–2015Perry LimGuardsChief of Defence Force
2011–2014Ravinder SinghSignalsCEO,
ST Kinetics
2010–2011Chan Chun SingInfantryMinister, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
2007–2010Neo Kian HongGuardsChief of Defence Force
CEO, SMRT Corporation
2003–2007Desmond KuekArmourChief of Defence Force
CEO, SMRT Corporation
2000–2003Ng Yat ChungArtilleryChief of Defence Force
1998–2000Lim Chuan PohInfantryChief of Defence Force
1995–1998Han Eng JuanArmourChief Executive, Land Transport Authority
1992–1995Lim Neo ChianCombat EngineersCEO, Jurong Town Corporation
1990–1992Ng Jui PingArtilleryChief of Defence Force
1988–1990Boey Tak Hap

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)

Divisional and non-divisional assets

Combined-Arms Divisions

The Army's main organizational components are its Combined-Arms Divisions, of which there are three:[20] the 3rd, 6th and 9th Divisions.[21] They include both active and reserve units that are operationally ready, all subject to mobilization orders in the event of war.[12]

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.

MINDEF Reserve (MR) NS Divisions

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.[22]

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)
21st Division

Designated as Army Operational Reserve (AOR), the 21st Division is a rapid deployment force of highly mobile infantry (Singapore Guards) specializing in amphibious, heliborne, and maneuver warfare. The armoured and artillery components of the division are lightweight, amphibious or airbourne, and rapidly deployable.

Organisation:

  • HQ 21st Singapore Division
  • 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 13th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 15th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 21st Division Artillery HQ
  • 21st Division Support Command
  • 33 SCE
  • 18th Division Air Defence Artillery Battalion
  • 101st Signals Battalion

Of the three infantry brigades, one is active and staffed mainly by career servicemen. Two are held in reserve, one tasked with heliborne operations, the other tasked with amphibious landings.[23]

25th Division

Also designated as Army Operational Reserve (AOR).

Organisation:

  • HQ 25th Singapore Division
  • 11th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 14th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 63rd Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 65th Singapore Infantry Brigade
  • 25th Division Artillery HQ
  • 25th Division Support Command
  • 34 SCE
  • 19th Division Air Defence Artillery Battalion
  • 75th Signals Battalion
32nd Division

Tim Huxley speculates in Defending the Lion City that "the reorganisation of 1991 and 1995 left one armoured brigade, 4 SAB, outside the divisional structure, prompting speculation that it has been earmarked to form the core of a conceptualised new mechanised division." Huxley asserts that it was "initially codenamed as 32nd Division at the planning stage."[24] Given the large quantity of armoured vehicles that the Singapore Army has in its inventory, it is highly likely that such a Division exists, however the division's make up and real numbering is presently unknown.

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
  • 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[25]
    • 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

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=singapore
  2. ↑ "1957 – Our First Battalion". MINDEF. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "1963 – Konfrontasi". MINDEF. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "1963 – Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR". MINDEF. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "The Singapore Army Is Established". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Act". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Come Into Effect". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Singapore Armed Forces Concludes Deployment in Afghanistan". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "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. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  10. 1 2 "The Singapore Army- About Us". MINDEF.
  11. 1 2 Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p.65.
  12. 1 2 "NS Matters - Home". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "The 3rd Generation SAF". MINDEF.
  14. ↑ "Organisation Structure". The Singapore Army. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  15. ↑ http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2011/mar/28mar11_news.html
  16. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "Armour". The Singapore Army. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "Artillery". The Singapore Army. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "gov.sg – Directory". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. ↑ See also , and Huxley, Defending the Lion City, 2000, pp. 123–126
  22. ↑ "2 People's Defence Force". The Singapore Army. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  23. ↑ Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p. 124.
  24. ↑ Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p. 127. Huxley's source note on 32nd Division appears to refer to an article by defence journalist Prasun Sengupta (1992, p. 76), but Huxley's bibliography is incomplete.
  25. ↑ https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/content/dam/imindef_media_library/graphics/pointer/PDF/2017/MED50/MED50_A8.pdf
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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