Singapore Army

Land service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces

Singapore Army

Tentera Singapura (Malay)
新加坡陆军 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தரைப்படை (Tamil)

Crest of the Singapore Army

Founded| 12 March 1957; 68 years ago (1957-03-12)
Country|  Singapore
Type| Army
Role| Land warfare
Size| 40,000 active personnel[1]
240,000 reserve personnel[1]
Part of| Singapore Armed Forces
Motto(s)| Yang Pertama dan Utama (First and Foremost) Ready, Decisive, Respected
March| Tentera Singapura [2]
Equipment| See list
Engagements|

See list

* Konfrontasi[2][3][4]
UNIKOM
UNSMA[5]
INTERFET
Multi-National Force – Iraq
Operation Enduring Freedom
ISAF
Operation Inherent Resolve

Website| Official website
Commanders
President of Singapore| Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Minister for Defence| Chan Chun Sing[6]
Chief of Defence Force| VADM Aaron Beng[6]
Chief of Army| MG Cai Dexian [7][6]
Chief of Staff – General Staff| BG Tan Cheng Kwee[7]
Sergeant Major of the Army| CWO Sanjee Singh[7][6]
Insignia
Flag|
Logo|

Military unit

The Singapore Army is the land service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The largest of the four branches of the SAF, the Singapore Army traces its origins to the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR), which was formed in 1957, when Singapore was still under British colonial rule. After Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965, the Singapore Army Bill was passed in Parliament on 23 December 1965, and National Service (NS) was subsequently introduced in 1967.[8] Mostly made up of conscripts, the Singapore Army can mobilise all operationally-ready military reservists in the event of war or national exigencies.

## Mission

[edit]

The mission of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is to deter armed aggression, and to secure a swift and decisive victory should deterrence fail. The Army is also tasked with conducting peace-time operations to further Singapore's national interests and foreign policy. These range from disaster relief to peacekeeping, hostage rescue and other contingencies.[9]

The Army views technology as a force-multiplier and a means to sustain combat power given Singapore's population constraints. Jointness across four branches of the SAF is integral to the Army's warfighting doctrine. Joint operations undertaken with the Navy and Air Force include amphibious landings and critical disaster relief operations in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

The Army has a technically proficient, relatively well-educated draftee pool and officer corps (non-commissioned and commissioned) reflective of the population at large, and has sought to leverage this to ease its transition into a more sophisticated, networked fighting force.[10]

Combat readiness is a linchpin of Army policy, and military exercises up to divisional level are conducted many times yearly, simulating full-spectrum operations, up to and including full-scale war. Divisional war games are a combined arms, tri-service affair involving the Navy and Air Force. Because training space is limited in Singapore—artillery fire would quickly traverse the island—some military exercises are conducted overseas. Reservists periodically[11] train abroad, their units regularly evaluated for combat readiness.[10] The Army also trains bilaterally with some host nations, and military exchanges are frequent. Training is billed as "tough, realistic and safe," with a premium on safety, given the sensitivity of military deaths in a largely conscript army.[9]

Following the revolution in military affairs, and in tandem with modernising its weapons systems, the Army is forging a transition to a more network-centric fighting doctrine that better integrates the Air Force and Navy.[12]

## History

[edit]

The Singapore Army originated with two infantry battalions, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR and 2 SIR), which were respectively formed in 1957 and 1962 when Singapore was still a British colony. After a merger with Malaysia which resulted in separation in 1965, Singapore passed the Singapore Army Bill in Parliament on 23 December 1965 and gained complete control of the two battalions from Malaysia in January 1966.[8][13] At the time, the Singapore Army had only the two infantry battalions and the old Singapore Volunteer Artillery Corps. Months later, the Army had a reserve force, the People's Defence Force, which was formed from an old volunteer unit mobilised for service during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. A third battalion, the 10th Battalion, People's Defence Force (10 PDF), was raised as a volunteer infantry reserve battalion.[citation needed]

In 1967, Parliament passed the National Service (Amendment) Act, introducing National Service (conscription) for all able-bodied young men aged 18 and above. In June 1967, the Singapore Army introduced its first artillery battalion, the 20th Singapore Artillery Battalion (20 SAB). Two new infantry battalions, the 3rd and 4th Battalions, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR and 4 SIR) were formed in August 1967. In November 1968, the Singapore Army's first armoured battalion, 41st Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (41 SAR), was formed. This was followed by the creation of the 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn) in December 1969.[8]

In 1972, Parliament passed the Singapore Armed Forces Act to reorganise and consolidate the Singapore Armed Forces' disparate commands and administrative functions.[14][15]

### Description of logo

[edit]

The emblem's escutcheon reads "Tentera Singapura" (meaning "Singapore Army" in Malay). The national coat of arms sits in its interior. The motto is "Yang Pertama Dan Utama" ("first and foremost" in Malay). Two stalks of laurel flank the escutcheon. The laurels are green for the Singapore Army and gold for the Singapore Armed Forces.

## Operations

[edit]

The Singapore Army has participated in peacekeeping operations overseas. In the aftermath of the Gulf War, Singapore contributed to the United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) formed in 1991. From May 2007 to June 2013, the Singapore Army deployed about 500 personnel to join the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in maintaining stability and assist in reconstruction in war-torn Afghanistan.[16] Since 2014, the Singapore Army has provided logistical support to the international coalition in the War against the Islamic State.[17]

## List of chiefs of Army

[edit]

See also: List of serving general and flag officers of the Singapore Armed Forces

Years in office | Name | Vocation

|
|

1990 | Boey Tak Hap | [citation needed]
1990–1992 | Ng Jui Ping | Artillery
1992–1995 | Lim Neo Chian | Combat Engineers
1995–1998 | Han Eng Juan | Armour
1998–2000 | Lim Chuan Poh | Infantry
2000–2003 | Ng Yat Chung | Artillery
2003–2007 | Desmond Kuek | Armour
2007–2010 | Neo Kian Hong | Guards
2010–2011 | Chan Chun Sing | Infantry
2011–2014 | Ravinder Singh | Signals
2014–2015 | Perry Lim | Guards
2015–2018 | Melvyn Ong | Guards[18]
2018–2022 | Goh Si Hou | Artillery[19][20]
2022–2025 | David Neo | Commandos[21]
2025–present | Cai Dexian | Armour[22]

## Organisation

[edit]

Singapore Army

|  |

|

Components
Organisation
History and Traditions
Military history of Singapore
Equipment
Weapons of the Singapore Army
Personnel
Singapore Armed Forces ranks

3rd and PDF
Divisions

6th and 21st
Divisions

9th and 25th
Divisions

class=notpageimage|

Singapore Army – major combat units

The Army is headed by the Chief of Army,[23] who is assisted by the Chief of Staff – General Staff[24] and the Sergeant Major of the Army. The General Staff consists of six branches from G1 to G6, as well as a National Service Affairs Department handling National Service issues, and an Army Safety Inspectorate. The six branches handle issues relating to personnel (G1), intelligence (G2), operations (G3), logistics (G4), plans (G5) and training (G6). The G1, G2, G3, G5, and G6 branches are each headed by an Assistant Chief of General Staff. Among the General Staff, there is also a Chief Systems Integration Officer and a Head of the Army Information Centre.[7]

The commanders of Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Combat Service Support (CSS), the four main divisions, the two operational reserve divisions, the 15 formations of the Army, and the SAF Volunteer Corps also report to the Chief of Army.[25][26][27][7]

### Divisions

[edit]

The Army has six divisions, of which three are combined arms divisions, one is in charge of counter-terrorism and homeland security, and two are army operational reserves (AOR).[7]

The three combined arms divisions are the 3rd Division (3 DIV), 6th Division (6 DIV) and 9th Division (9 DIV),[28][29] each of which has active and reserve units that are operationally ready and capable of being mobilised in the event of war.[11]

The 2nd People's Defence Force (2 PDF) is in charge of counter-terrorism and homeland security, including the protection of key military and civilian installations around Singapore. It is also responsible for the coordination and secondment of military resources to civilian agencies in the event of a civil emergency.[30]

The two AOR divisions are the 21st Division (21 DIV)[31] and 25th Division (25 DIV).[31][7]

### Formations

[edit]

The Army has 15 formations: Ammunition Command, Armour,[32] Army Intelligence, Army Medical Services, Artillery,[33] Combat Engineers, Commandos, Guards, Infantry, Maintenance and Engineering Support, Military Police Command, Personnel Command, Signals, Supply, and Transport.[7]

### Task forces

[edit]

The Army has task forces such as the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Joint Task Force (JTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF)[7] and the Army Deployment Force (ADF).[34]

## Equipment

[edit]

Main article: List of equipment of the Singaporean Army

## Camps and bases

[edit]

Main article: List of Singapore Armed Forces bases

## Photo gallery

[edit]

* Singapore Army's Leopard 2A4 at the Singapore Airshow 2008.

* AMX-10PAC 90 with the 90mm main gun

* SM-1 Launched Bridge (SLB)

* M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV)

* FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET)

* The Vehicle Launched Bridge

* The Bionix Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)

* The Bionix Launched Bridge (BLB)

* The 105mm Giat LG-1 Howitzer at the SAF Open House

* FH-2000 in towing configuration

* Open breech of FH-2000 as seen from loader position

* The SLWH Pegasus at the Singapore Airshow 2008

* The 155mm/39calibre Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH 1)

* SPIKE ATGM complete with mock-up missile

* The MATADOR (Man-portable Anti-Tank, Anti-DOoR)

* The new CIS-50 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

## See also

[edit]

* Singapore Armed Forces
* Republic of Singapore Air Force
* Republic of Singapore Navy
* Singapore Special Operations Force
* Singapore Armed Forces ranks

## References

[edit]

Notes

1. ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. pp. 286–287\. ISBN 9781032508955.
2. ^ "1957 – Our First Battalion". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
3. ^ "1963 – Konfrontasi". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
4. ^ "1963 – Pioneering Spirit of 2 SIR". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
5. ^ "Fact Sheet: Recipients of the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act".
6. ^ a b c d "Leadership Biographies". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 10 March 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Army Organisation Structure". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 5 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
8. ^ a b c "Singapore Army History". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 13 March 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
9. ^ a b "The Singapore Army- About Us". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
10. ^ a b Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City, Allen & Unwin, 2000, p.65.
11. ^ a b "NS Matters - Home". Archived from the original on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
12. ^ "The 3rd Generation SAF". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
13. ^ "The Singapore Army Is Established". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
14. ^ "Singapore Armed Forces Act". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
15. ^ "Singapore Armed Forces Come Into Effect". HistorySG. National Library Board Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
16. ^ "Singapore Armed Forces Concludes Deployment in Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
17. ^ "Joint Statement Issued by Partners at the Counter-ISIL Coalition Ministerial Meeting". Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs. Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
18. ^ Ganesan, Deepanraj (29 June 2018). "Defence chief heads SAF promotion list". The Straits Times.
19. ^ "Singapore appoints new defence, army chiefs". Channel News Asia. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
20. ^ "Change in Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army" (PDF). MINDEF – National Archives of Singapore. 12 March 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
21. ^ "Change in Chief of Army". 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
22. ^ "Change in Chief of Army". MINDEF. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
23. ^ "Organisation Structure". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
24. ^ "Organisation Structure". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
25. ^ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
26. ^ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
27. ^ "File Not Found". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
28. ^ "gov.sg – Directory". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
29. ^ See also [1], and Huxley, Defending the Lion City, 2000, pp. 123–126
30. ^ "2 People's Defence Force". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
31. ^ a b "Army". Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
32. ^ "Armour". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
33. ^ "Artillery". The Singapore Army. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
34. ^ Koh, Jeremy (July 2016). "SAF to fight terror with rapid response". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.

Bibliography

* Tim, Huxley. Defending the Lion City: the Armed Forces of Singapore. Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty LTD, 2000. ISBN 1-86508-118-3.

Further reading

* 'Singapore's Army: boosting capabilities,' Jane's Intelligence Review, April 1996

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Singapore Army.

* Official website
* Singapore Army Official Ranks Website
* Ranks and Paramilitary Ranks of Singapore, accessed 23 October 2006.
* Singapore Infantry Regiment pictures and info

* v
* t
* e

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)

SAF Task Forces|

* Army Deployment Force
* Island Defence Task Force
* Joint Task Force
* Special Operations Task Force
* Maritime Security Task Force
* Air Defence Task Force
* Cybersecurity Task Force

Singapore Army|

| Divisions|

* 2nd People's Defence Force
* 3rd Division
* 6th Division
* 9th Division

|

Formations|

* SAF Ammunition Command
* Armour
* Army Deployment Force
* Army Intelligence
* Army Medical Service
* Artillery
* Combat Engineers
* Commandos
* Guards
* Infantry
* Maintenance & Engineering Support
* SAF Military Police Command
* PERSCOM
* Signals
* Supply
* Transport

Republic of Singapore Navy|

* Fleet
* Maritime Security Command
* Maritime Training and Doctrine Command
* Naval Diving Unit
* Naval Logistics Command

Republic of Singapore Air Force|

* Air Combat Command
* Air Defence and Operations Command
* Air Force Training Command
* Air Power Generation Command
* Black Knights
* Participation Command
* Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command

Digital and Intelligence Service|

* Joint Intelligence Command
* SAF C4 Command
* Digital Defence Command
* DIS Training Command
* Digital Ops-Tech Centre

SAF training schools|

| SAFTI Military Institute|

* Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College
* SAF Advanced Schools
* Officer Cadet School

|

Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute|

* SAFWOS Leadership School
* Specialist and Warrant Officer Advanced School
* Specialist Cadet School

Others|

* Basic Military Training Centre
* SAF Medical Training Institute

Other SAF units and affiliated organisations

* SAF Band
* SAF Medical Corps
* SAF Parachute Team
* SAF Volunteer Corps
* National Cadet Corps
* Warriors Football Club
* Singapore Youth Flying Club

* v
* t
* e

Militaries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Royal Brunei Armed Forces|

* Royal Brunei Land Force
* Royal Brunei Air Force
* Royal Brunei Navy

South-East Asia highlighted in green

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces|

* Royal Cambodian Army
* Royal Cambodian Air Force
* Royal Cambodian Navy
* Royal Gendarmerie

Indonesian National Armed Forces|

* Indonesian Army
* Indonesian Navy (Indonesian Marine Corps)
* Indonesian Air Force

Lao People's Armed Forces|

* Lao People's Army
* Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
* Lao People's Navy

Malaysian Armed Forces|

* Malaysian Army
* Royal Malaysian Air Force
* Royal Malaysian Navy
* Malaysia Coast Guard

Myanmar Armed Forces|

* Myanmar Army
* Myanmar Air Force
* Myanmar Navy
* Myanmar Coast Guard
* Myanmar Police Force

Armed Forces of the Philippines|

* Philippine Army
* Philippine Air Force
* Philippine Navy
* Philippine Marine Corps
* Philippine Coast Guard

Singapore Armed Forces|

* Singapore Army
* Republic of Singapore Air Force
* Republic of Singapore Navy
* Digital and Intelligence Service
* Police Coast Guard

Royal Thai Armed Forces|

* Royal Thai Army
* Royal Thai Air Force
* Royal Thai Navy
* Royal Thai Marine Corps

People's Army of Vietnam|

* Vietnam People's Ground Force
* Vietnam People's Air Force
* Vietnam People's Navy
* Vietnam Coast Guard
* Vietnam Border Guard

Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states

*  Brunei
*  Cambodia
*  Indonesia
*  Laos
*  Malaysia
*  Myanmar
*  Philippines
*  Singapore
*  Thailand
*  Vietnam

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template