Skip to main content
SG101
  1. Home
  2. Defence and security
  3. Our defence and security
  4. Building a Strong Defence

Building a Strong Defence

Our defence policy is based on the twin pillars of deterrence and diplomacy

Last updated 6 October 2025

The First Pillar: Diplomacy

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (centre) at the ADMM Retreat held virtually on 10 November 2021.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (centre) at the ADMM Retreat held virtually on 10 November 2021. Image: MINDEF

Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong delivering the keynote address at the SLD on 31 May 2019.

Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong delivering the keynote address at the SLD on 31 May 2019. Image: MINDEF

Maritime Security Efforts
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Missions

The Second Pillar: Deterrence

We have to supplement SAF's manpower with new technology, as manpower constraints will always be there. Our dependency should be more technology than manpower. And we must develop ingeniously that technology edge.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Defence Technology Community Pioneers' Dinner on 7 May 2015

Being Resourceful and Innovative

SAF in the 1960s

March-past of first batch of 117 officer cadets, who had completed a 12-month intensive training at SAFTI

March-past of first batch of 117 officer cadets, who had completed a 12-month intensive training at SAF Training Institute (SAFTI), at their commissioning parade held at Pasir Laba Camp, Jurong. Image: National Archives of Singapore (NAS)

SAF in the 1980s to 1990s

Post 9-11

Next Generation SAF

Growth of the DIS

Image: MINDEF

Next Gen SAF in 2040

Image: MINDEF