Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: c188-br%volga.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Calvin Cheng) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Singapore and Viet Nam Message-ID: <1991Feb13.223333.8202@cbnews.att.com> Date: 13 Feb 91 22:33:33 GMT References: <1991Feb13.032228.27177@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: UC Berkeley Experimental Computing Facility (XCF) Lines: 90 Approved: military@att.att.com From: c188-br%volga.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Calvin Cheng) In article <1991Feb13.032228.27177@cbnews.att.com> ARTABAR@MTUS5.cts.mtu.edu writes: > > >From: ARTABAR@MTUS5.cts.mtu.edu >I am looking for data on Singapore's military (size, equipment, etc.) and >Viet Nam's. (for those of you who think this is an odd question, Singapore >is deathly afraid of Viet Nam 'coming over the wall') >Please send your responses directly to me (artabar@mtus5.cts.mtu.edu) >Thanx in advance >Andy The Singapore Armed Forces was formed with the help of Israeli advisors. It has the same integrated command structure as the IDF and shares many Israeli doctrine (but adapted for local needs). The government considers a strong defence to be extremely important. This is shown by devoting as much as 6% of the GNP which is way higher than neighboring nations (particularly in the aftermath of the Kuwaiti invasion since Singapore is a tiny country [smaller than greater LA, pop. 2.7 million], surrounded by big Muslim neighbors and of course Vietnam). Every Singapore male aged 18 and above has to serve 24 to 30 months of national service. Due to the lowered birth rates, it is now harder for people to get downgraded for lighter work and they may even consider extending the enlistment period (which is already long by any standards). By the way, there's no such thing as obtaining conscientious status (you serve in the jail for that matter). The SAF was intended originally to be a small professional corps supported by a large citizen's army a la Switzerland. However, they are maintaining a fairly large standing army based on Israeli experiences (the lack of time in activating a citizen's army due to the tiny land area). I have personally served in an ADA battalion manning Oerlikon 35mm AA guns. The basic force structure includes: Army.................... about 45 000 to 50 000 (400 tanks, 1000+ APCs) Air Force............... about 6 000 to 7 000 (180 aircraft) Navy.................... about 3 000 to 4 000 (30+ small vessels) Civil Defence........... not sure mostly reservist (also included firemen) There are also includes about 200 000 reservists (13-year training cycle but liability upto 45 for enlisted men and 50 for officers and NCOs). Mobilisation exercises are carried out regularly to achieve the objective of deploying all men within 72 hours. The reservist elements are considered an integral part of the armed forces far more than most armed forces. The Army consists of 5 infantry divisions (1 active, 2 reservist and 2 People's Defence Force). The 3 main divisions are equipped much like American infantry divisions. Weapons include the M16S1, Ultimax 100 SAW, FN MG, Carl Gustav 84mm RR, 106mm RR, Milan (II?), 81mm/120mm (old) motar, 155mm FH88 howitzer, TPQ36 etc. There are also 2 independent armored brigades (more like mechanized infantry), 2 commando (airborne) battalions and various independent signals, engineer support units. THe People's Defence Force elements are essentially a collection of pure infantry battalions (each of the 3 brigades has 8 infantry battalions) traditionally allocated with surplus men. But plans are underway to upgrade them to the equivalent of the other infantry divisions. The Air Force also include the ADA elements and all helicopters. There are about 60 to 80 Skyhawks (upgraded with F404 engines), 30+ F5E/Fs, 8 F16s (perhaps eventually 20+), 30+ SIAI-Marchetti S211s, 7 Hawker Hunters FR74 (recon), 4 E2C Hawkeyes, 8 C130/KC130 Hercules, 6 Short Skyvans. Weapons include the Sidewinder, Maverick etc. Helicopter force includes about 30 to 50 Super Pumas, about 40 to 50 UH1H (to be retired), 6 to 12 Ecureils (??) and about 20 Dauphins (anti-armor) on order. ADA weapons include the I-Hawk, Rapier, Oerlikon 20mm and 35mm, RBS70 and perhaps the Roland. The Navy consists of 12 missile gun boats/corvettes, another about 12 to 24 FACs, 4 LSTs (vintage WWII stuff) etc and other support elements including the elite naval divers (airborne). The current wood minesweepers are being replaced. Due to the lack of land area, the SAF maintain permanent training bases in many countries (notably Brunei and Thailand). Since we need to import even water from neighboring Malaysia, it is important to maintain good relations (especially with trade being our lifeline). Therefore Singapore has been particularly keen on working for regional security. Combined military exercises are held with many foreign nations including the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. It's also important to look at the other potential threat. It seems in some circles, Indonesia is described as a nation with territorial ambitions (the Confrontation), Malaysia has being potentially hostile should the Muslim extremists take power and a powerful China (even Japan). This is particularly important for a tiny nation like Singapore.