Shorter NS makes sense, say expertsMove in line with other armed forces, which are also focusing on technology to reduce large armies
By Alexis Hooi and Goh Chin Lian
THE decision of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to shorten the duration of national service (NS) by six months to two years makes good sense, said leading defence analysts.
They added that the move here is in line with the developments seen in other armed forces, which are similarly focusing on technology as one way to cut down on large armies.
British defence specialist Tim Huxley, senior fellow for Asia-Pacific Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, agreed that, given the SAF's exploitation of new technology and its transformation into a technology-intensive military, 'the looming demographic bulge might have resulted in larger than necessary full-time NS intakes'.
Dr Huxley, who also authored Defending The Lion City: The Armed Forces Of Singapore in 2000, was responding to queries from The Straits Times over the shortening of the NS training duration announced by Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament last Tuesday.
Two factors made this possible. The first is the transformation of the SAF into a technology-intensive military force less reliant on numbers. The other factor: a surge in NS intake for the next 10 years, due to a mini-baby boom after the Dragon Year of 1988, which persisted into the mid-1990s.
Dr Huxley said Singapore is not alone in becoming less reliant on numbers. 'The exploitation of new technologies has allowed armed forces in many Western European countries to maintain, or even increase, their capabilities even while reducing personnel strength,' he said.
But it is unlikely that Singapore - with its small population - could follow its European counterparts and eliminate conscription and reservist service entirely.
Also, as the nature of warfare is changing, the crucial challenge facing the SAF is 'to develop concepts of warfare that allow the adaptation of new technologies to the full spectrum of security challenges', which include terrorism, piracy and peacekeeping.
Even with these new challenges, Dr Andrew Tan of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, believes that two years is sufficient to train any combat soldier.
Plus, the cut in NS duration will have little impact on operational readiness as the bulk of the SAF troops are in the reserves.
He added that the greater use of technology will augment the SAF's firepower and make up for smaller forces.
At the same time, Dr Tan said, the collective will to win and shed blood for the country is still what makes armies effective fighting units.
It is this same psychological preparedness - to protect the interests of Singaporeans - that Rear-Admiral (NS) Teo said is important in dealing with the threat of terrorism.
He made the comment yesterday morning after observing a joint rescue and evacuation exercise at the Pasir Ris MRT station, which simulated a terrorist bomb attack on a train.
About 1,000 residents, students and personnel from the civil defence, police and armed forces took part in the exercise.
When asked about the feedback he had received on his parliamentary speech on how going high-tech has allowed for a shorter NS training period, Rear-Adm Teo said it had been positive so far.
Still, he added, there were some people who had secured deferment earlier and now wanted to serve the two years, compared with others in their cohort who had served 2 1/2 years.
'As with any policy, there'll be people who wish they were better off. We'll look at all the appeals that they have and consider them,' he said.
A Mindef spokesman said the bulk of more than 200 queries the ministry received as of noon last Friday was from those who had deferred their NS.
Most of the queries centred on eligibility for a shorter training period.
Shorter NS makes sense, say experts 