Combatting terrorism will require the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to be technologically-driven, Bernama quoted Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as saying in Singapore yesterday.

He said that given the new security environment, the SAF must invest in modernisation and make the necessary transformation to the force.

The national news agency quoted him explaining that the SAF must develop new concepts of operations as well as enhance its capabilities through exploitation of new technologies.

"This is a strategic imperative because the battlefield of the future will be vastly different," Goh said at the official opening of the Changi Naval Base on Friday.

For instance, said the premier, new military concepts would allow small, dispersed units to use precise firepower to achieve the desired effects.

He noted that this would have required massive forces and equipment in the past.

"Transformation will allow us to capitalise on the strengths of our technologically-savvy people to create a lean but effective SAF," he added.

Terrorist threats

Goh also said that the new security environment would require the SAF to work closely with regional armed forces to enhance regional security.

"Transformation is not about hardware and military concepts alone. More importantly, it involves the transformation of people on which the strength and effectiveness of the SAF most depends.

"I am glad to know that the SAF is focussing on the development of our servicemen and servicewomen, and preparing them to function at the highest level in the third generation SAF," he said.

He also said that countering terrorism and the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction would require the SAF to collaborate with other armed forces.

Terrorist groups with links to the Al-Qaeda network remained active both regionally and globally, he added.

"They operate across borders. They cannot be tackled effectively by countries acting alone. To fight this cross-border security threat, a concerted global response is required."

Multilateral initiatives

In this context, he said, the Changi Naval Base could play an important role as it was not for the exclusive use of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) but also open to friendly countries.

Goh said the base, strategically located along vital sea lanes connecting the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea, was an important link in the regional security network.

The ability of the base to support large-scale exercises and operations was invaluable to multilateral initiatives to enhance regional maritime security, he said.

"We believe that Changi Naval Base can contribute to regional peace and stability," claimed Goh.