Singapore Armed Forces will invest heavily in unmanned technologies, autonomous vehicles, drones, and sensors as part of its next-generation transformation journey.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said, “Unmanned technologies will be a big part of the SAF going forward and the Navy has worked with the larger defence technology community to develop indigenous unmanned systems designed for our unique operating environment and requirements. I am also glad to know that the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) had undertaken several initiatives to maximise the deployment of National Serviceman. The RSN has been deliberate about designing systems to be intuitive, so that it can be easily operated by NSFs and NSmen. These will provide new, meaningful and exciting avenues for NSFs and NSmen to contribute to our maritime defence”.
Zaqy visited the Changi Naval Base (CNB) on March 15, and was briefed by the Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Sean Wat, on how the RSN is strengthening its capabilities to safeguard Singapore’s waters and secure its sea lines of communication against a broad spectrum of maritime security threats.
As part of his visit, Zaqy was updated on the progress of the RSN’s transformation journey, especially in the area of unmanned technology and systems.
He sailed on board the Naval Diving Unit’s Combatant Craft Large (CCL) and witnessed a demonstration on how maritime security operations are conducted by the Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, Singapore’s force modernisation priorities toward the next-generation SAF currently follows three lines of effort—developing capabilities to counter ‘hybrid’ threats in the information and cyber domains; expanding counter-terrorism capabilities, particularly by strengthening Island Defence and Special Forces; and in the long-term, leveraging advanced emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics in nearly all aspects of defence planning and military operations.
In this context, Singapore’s defence planners envision the next-generation SAF to build upon existing conventional capabilities, while having the flexibility and robustness to employ novel operational and organisational concepts to exploit breakthrough technologies for national defence – all under conditions of increased strategic uncertainty.
To meet these demands, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) last year acquired the Orbiter 4 Close-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (CR-UAV) to further enhance the SAF’s Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR) capabilities.
The Orbiter 4 CR-UAV, which complements the RSAF’s existing fleet of UAVs, will provide the SAF and security forces with improved ground situational awareness to better protect Singapore from threats across peacetime to wartime operations.
With its smaller size, capable sensor and increased portability, the Orbiter 4 CR-UAV can operate within a wide range of operating environments, including urbanised and confined areas, to support security operations such as counter-terrorism and peacetime contingencies. The Orbiter 4 can be employed independently or collaboratively with the existing fleet of larger UAVs for scanning of the battlefield from different altitudes, providing both a bird’s eye view of the battlefield from a higher altitude and conducting in-depth surveillance of specific areas from a lower altitude.
The Orbiter 4 CR-UAV enhances operational flexibility with its lower logistical footprint, runway independence, and ability to be deployed and set up in a shorter span of time.
To preserve its strategic deterrent, the SAF is in the process of acquiring advanced military technologies and platforms, which are designed to be linked together as a force package, and create an asymmetric advantage.
The list of military acquisition programmes includes upgraded early warning systems such as coastal surveillance network and air defence systems; F35s and upgraded F15SG fighter jets, Multi-Role Tanker Transport and G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft, new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); new classes of ships that include Joint Multi-Mission Ships and Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCVs); 218SG submarines and new types of Underwater Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs); and ultimately, military systems and platforms for more protected and mobile Army, such as the Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicles (NGAFV), Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles, upgraded Leopard tanks, multiple rocket launchers and howitzers.
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