SAF Day 2025 – Talking Points

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction: The Changing Global Environment and Singapore's Defense Needs
2. Key Threat Landscape: Geopolitical Conflicts, Hybrid Threats, and Singapore's Vulnerabilities
3. Commitment to Maintaining Readiness and Capabilities: Exercises, Cooperation, and Operational Preparedness
4. Demonstration of Commitment: Peace Support Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief Missions
5. Investing in the Future: Building a Full-Spectrum Deterrence Capability and Unmanned Architecture
6. Infrastructure and Training Innovation: SAFTI City and Urban Operations Training
7. Total Defense: How Military Defense Supports Enhancing National Resilience
8. The Cornerstone of National Service: Public Support, Institutional Resilience, and Directions for Strengthening
9. Future Outlook: Continuous Innovation and Whole-of-Nation Responsibility
10. Conclusion and Related Activity Information

Document Overview

This document is an internal commander/facilitator discussion points handbook compiled by the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the 2025 Singapore Armed Forces Day (SAF Day). The report aims to provide a core narrative framework for internal educational activities within the Singapore Armed Forces. It systematically elaborates on Singapore's defense policy, armed forces development direction, and total defense strategy against the backdrop of a new era characterized by heightened regional uncertainty, technological disruption, and hybrid threats.

The report begins by establishing its core thesis: in a changing world filled with geopolitical tensions, digital disruptions, and hybrid threats, a capable, committed, and ever-ready armed force is crucial for defending Singapore's sovereignty and way of life. Using the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025 and its potential global impact as an example, the document reveals the direct and indirect security risks faced by Singapore as a small, open economy. The report clearly states that contemporary threats have transcended the traditional military domain, extending into areas such as economic stability, infrastructure resilience, and the more covert realm of "foreign interference and influence."

To address these multi-dimensional challenges, the report outlines in detail the three pillars for the Singapore Armed Forces to maintain competitiveness and readiness. First is ## Maintaining Commitment through Training and Diplomacy, actively participating in multilateral cyber defense exercises (e.g., "Defence Cyber Marvel 4" DCM4), bilateral/multilateral joint military exercises (e.g., "Tiger Balm 2025", "Griffin Gakti"), and strengthening regional defense cooperation and confidence-building through mechanisms such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Chiefs' Conference. Second is ## The Commitment to Respond Swiftly and Effectively in Protecting Singapore's Interests and People. The report cites examples such as Air Force fighter jets scrambling in response to airspace incidents and the Navy leveraging technology to counter maritime threats, demonstrating the results of routine readiness drills across all services. Third is ## Demonstrating Commitment through participation in International Peace Support Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, highlighting Singapore's responsible contribution to international security.

Looking to the future, the report systematically introduces the Singapore Armed Forces' long-term capability investment plans to maintain a deterrent edge. This includes comprehensive modernization across land, sea, air, and digital domains: the Army is transitioning to next-generation infantry battalions and highly automated platforms; the Navy is introducing multi-role combat vessels, stealth submarines, and unmanned surface vessels to extend maritime surveillance and strike range; the Air Force is integrating the F-35 series and next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance air defense effectiveness. Of particular note is the emphasis on unmanned systems and architecture, as well as the "Digital Range" being developed by the Digital and Intelligence Service, designed to simulate cyber-attack scenarios on critical infrastructure to improve defensive capabilities. Concurrently, the first phase of "SAFTI City" within the SAFTI training area became operational in 2025, providing advanced realistic training facilities for urban operations, counter-terrorism, and homeland security missions.

The report emphasizes that a strong military defense is the cornerstone of Singapore's "Total Defense" system and supports its other pillars. Using the "Exercise Singapore Ready 2025" as an example, it demonstrates military collaboration with agencies like the Energy Market Authority to simulate responses to cyber-attacks targeting the power grid, thereby enhancing the resilience of national critical infrastructure. Finally, the report delves into the ## National Service system, which is central to Singapore's defense framework. Citing 2023 Institute of Policy Studies research data, the document shows high public support for national service but also cautions against taking this for granted. To this end, the Ministry of Defence is strengthening the system in three key directions: by redesigning roles, leveraging technology, and optimizing physical fitness standards to ## Maximize Personnel Contribution; using data and technology to reduce administrative burdens to ## Improve the Service Experience; and by providing allowances, digital credits, and merchant discounts to ## Enhance Recognition and Support for servicemen and their families.

This discussion points handbook is not merely a situational and policy briefing; it is a guide for building internal consensus and guiding strategic reflection. It ultimately reaffirms that Singapore's peace and security depend on an armed force that continuously innovates and maintains technological leadership, as well as the sustained participation and sense of responsibility of the entire nation in Total Defense.

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction: The Changing Global Environment and Singapore's Defense Needs
2. Key Threat Landscape: Geopolitical Conflicts, Hybrid Threats, and Singapore's Vulnerabilities
3. Commitment to Maintaining Readiness and Capabilities: Exercises, Cooperation, and Operational Preparedness
4. Demonstration of Commitment: Peace Support Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief Missions
5. Investing in the Future: Building a Full-Spectrum Deterrence Capability and Unmanned Architecture
6. Infrastructure and Training Innovation: SAFTI City and Urban Operations Training
7. Total Defense: How Military Defense Supports Enhancing National Resilience
8. The Cornerstone of National Service: Public Support, Institutional Resilience, and Directions for Strengthening
9. Future Outlook: Continuous Innovation and Whole-of-Nation Responsibility
10. Conclusion and Related Activity Information

Document Overview

This document is an internal commander/facilitator discussion points handbook compiled by the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the 2025 Singapore Armed Forces Day (SAF Day). The report aims to provide a core narrative framework for internal educational activities within the Singapore Armed Forces. It systematically elaborates on Singapore's defense policy, armed forces development direction, and total defense strategy against the backdrop of a new era characterized by heightened regional uncertainty, technological disruption, and hybrid threats.

The report begins by establishing its core thesis: in a changing world filled with geopolitical tensions, digital disruptions, and hybrid threats, a capable, committed, and ever-ready armed force is crucial for defending Singapore's sovereignty and way of life. Using the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025 and its potential global impact as an example, the document reveals the direct and indirect security risks faced by Singapore as a small, open economy. The report clearly states that contemporary threats have transcended the traditional military domain, extending into areas such as economic stability, infrastructure resilience, and the more covert realm of "foreign interference and influence."

To address these multi-dimensional challenges, the report outlines in detail the three pillars for the Singapore Armed Forces to maintain competitiveness and readiness. First is ## Maintaining Commitment through Training and Diplomacy, actively participating in multilateral cyber defense exercises (e.g., "Defence Cyber Marvel 4" DCM4), bilateral/multilateral joint military exercises (e.g., "Tiger Balm 2025", "Griffin Gakti"), and strengthening regional defense cooperation and confidence-building through mechanisms such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Chiefs' Conference. Second is ## The Commitment to Respond Swiftly and Effectively in Protecting Singapore's Interests and People. The report cites examples such as Air Force fighter jets scrambling in response to airspace incidents and the Navy leveraging technology to counter maritime threats, demonstrating the results of routine readiness drills across all services. Third is ## Demonstrating Commitment through participation in International Peace Support Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, highlighting Singapore's responsible contribution to international security.

Looking to the future, the report systematically introduces the Singapore Armed Forces' long-term capability investment plans to maintain a deterrent edge. This includes comprehensive modernization across land, sea, air, and digital domains: the Army is transitioning to next-generation infantry battalions and highly automated platforms; the Navy is introducing multi-role combat vessels, stealth submarines, and unmanned surface vessels to extend maritime surveillance and strike range; the Air Force is integrating the F-35 series and next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance air defense effectiveness. Of particular note is the emphasis on unmanned systems and architecture, as well as the "Digital Range" being developed by the Digital and Intelligence Service, designed to simulate cyber-attack scenarios on critical infrastructure to improve defensive capabilities. Concurrently, the first phase of "SAFTI City" within the SAFTI training area became operational in 2025, providing advanced realistic training facilities for urban operations, counter-terrorism, and homeland security missions.

The report emphasizes that a strong military defense is the cornerstone of Singapore's "Total Defense" system and supports its other pillars. Using the "Exercise Singapore Ready 2025" as an example, it demonstrates military collaboration with agencies like the Energy Market Authority to simulate responses to cyber-attacks targeting the power grid, thereby enhancing the resilience of national critical infrastructure. Finally, the report delves into the ## National Service system, which is central to Singapore's defense framework. Citing 2023 Institute of Policy Studies research data, the document shows high public support for national service but also cautions against taking this for granted. To this end, the Ministry of Defence is strengthening the system in three key directions: by redesigning roles, leveraging technology, and optimizing physical fitness standards to ## Maximize Personnel Contribution; using data and technology to reduce administrative burdens to ## Improve the Service Experience; and by providing allowances, digital credits, and merchant discounts to ## Enhance Recognition and Support for servicemen and their families.

This discussion points handbook is not merely a situational and policy briefing; it is a guide for building internal consensus and guiding strategic reflection. It ultimately reaffirms that Singapore's peace and security depend on an armed force that continuously innovates and maintains technological leadership, as well as the sustained participation and sense of responsibility of the entire nation in Total Defense.