None of the Opposition Parties really have a credible defence policy in their manifestos. WP and SPP/SDa basically support the status quo with some push for reduction in NS, RP definitely wants NS reduced, SDP stupidly wants to cut defence and hope the world is a nice place. Here is my take on what a SG Defence policy should be:
For the Army:
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Army for the ORBAT (quite accurate):
1) Cut back one NS Infantry Brigade per each of the 3 Combined Arms Divisions. SG doesn't need that many "reservist" brigades.
2) Cut back one NS Guards Brigade in the 21st Division (which is basically mostly for the 7th Guards Brigade. One maybe one and a half--one major Guards striking unit will do.
3) Remove completely the 25th Division. It is mostly a "paper" division made out of the older NS Armoured Brigades. There's no need for it even if there's a major crisis.
4) By removing 25th Division, there's no need for the surplus or older tanks that Singapore has in-country or outside. That would save tons of money.
5) 2PDF. Cut back 2-3 NS Brigades. Inany case, 2PDF is not a frontline unit.
6) Reduce the number of Leopard 2A4 Tanks. Sources say SG purchased up to 96. Cut down to 35-40.
7) Keep the rest of the non-divisional units but use them--ie deployments to UN Peacekeeping, ISAF (Afghanistan). They sit there for nothing.
Air Force:
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force
1) Cut back 1 Fokker 50. Makes no difference. 4 would do. Or even 3.
2)Diband one to one and a half F-5 Squadrons. Yes they've been upgraded. Non, they are old planes that sit there for show mostly. the F-16s can handle therie role.
3) Cut back on one squadron of F-16s or put them in storage. That' more thna enough.
4) Sell or disband the illogical buy of the F-15SG/E. It wasn't the best plane to buy--it's even older than some of the F-16s!
5) Scrap all A-4s. What are they doing there??
6) Scrape one AEW aircraft. Again, makes no difference 4 or 3 of them. Hardly been used except inthe Airshow.
Navy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Navy
1) Scrape one LST. SG deploys mostly one (max 2) LSTs--Gulf of Aden or Tsunami/Disaster relief anyway. So why so many ships?
2) Sell the old submarines; quikcly get the new ones up.
3) Use the stealth frigates--ie send them for anti-piracy duty in the Gulf or South China Sea. They are the most expensive.
4) Changi Naval Base: Charge the US Navy every time they come to visit or dock in CNB. They like to stop over fine. Charge them!
5) Charge the Commander, Logistics Western Pacific (http://www.clwp.navy.mil/) more.
NS:
1)Keep 2 year of NS for the near future. One, this is due to training of Officers (especially) and Specialists. Singapore already has the shortest OCS course in all countries. Cutting back NS immediately would mean you can reach 2LT in less than 10 months.
2) Eventually reduce to say 18 months but Officers Traning must not be changed.
3) Increase "allowance" for all NS ranks by 15%.
4) Improve flexibility: Allow hard-pressed soldiers more leave and off-days.
5) Reservist Training. NO Call ups for any undergraduate, post graduate or PhD students at all. Give them the same chance as their western counterparts!
6) Increase NS pay--rank pay plus salary pay plus pay to company to substitute the NS Man
7) Mobilisation
o away with the area call ups--wasting people's time. instead massive broadcast any mobilisation. Shorten the number of mobilisations per year.
8) 10-11 years of reservists. End it at age 35 for all except for those "loyal" KAHs.
For the Army:
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Army for the ORBAT (quite accurate):
1) Cut back one NS Infantry Brigade per each of the 3 Combined Arms Divisions. SG doesn't need that many "reservist" brigades.
2) Cut back one NS Guards Brigade in the 21st Division (which is basically mostly for the 7th Guards Brigade. One maybe one and a half--one major Guards striking unit will do.
3) Remove completely the 25th Division. It is mostly a "paper" division made out of the older NS Armoured Brigades. There's no need for it even if there's a major crisis.
4) By removing 25th Division, there's no need for the surplus or older tanks that Singapore has in-country or outside. That would save tons of money.
5) 2PDF. Cut back 2-3 NS Brigades. Inany case, 2PDF is not a frontline unit.
6) Reduce the number of Leopard 2A4 Tanks. Sources say SG purchased up to 96. Cut down to 35-40.
7) Keep the rest of the non-divisional units but use them--ie deployments to UN Peacekeeping, ISAF (Afghanistan). They sit there for nothing.
Air Force:
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force
1) Cut back 1 Fokker 50. Makes no difference. 4 would do. Or even 3.
2)Diband one to one and a half F-5 Squadrons. Yes they've been upgraded. Non, they are old planes that sit there for show mostly. the F-16s can handle therie role.
3) Cut back on one squadron of F-16s or put them in storage. That' more thna enough.
4) Sell or disband the illogical buy of the F-15SG/E. It wasn't the best plane to buy--it's even older than some of the F-16s!
5) Scrap all A-4s. What are they doing there??
6) Scrape one AEW aircraft. Again, makes no difference 4 or 3 of them. Hardly been used except inthe Airshow.
Navy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Navy
1) Scrape one LST. SG deploys mostly one (max 2) LSTs--Gulf of Aden or Tsunami/Disaster relief anyway. So why so many ships?
2) Sell the old submarines; quikcly get the new ones up.
3) Use the stealth frigates--ie send them for anti-piracy duty in the Gulf or South China Sea. They are the most expensive.
4) Changi Naval Base: Charge the US Navy every time they come to visit or dock in CNB. They like to stop over fine. Charge them!
5) Charge the Commander, Logistics Western Pacific (http://www.clwp.navy.mil/) more.
NS:
1)Keep 2 year of NS for the near future. One, this is due to training of Officers (especially) and Specialists. Singapore already has the shortest OCS course in all countries. Cutting back NS immediately would mean you can reach 2LT in less than 10 months.
2) Eventually reduce to say 18 months but Officers Traning must not be changed.
3) Increase "allowance" for all NS ranks by 15%.
4) Improve flexibility: Allow hard-pressed soldiers more leave and off-days.
5) Reservist Training. NO Call ups for any undergraduate, post graduate or PhD students at all. Give them the same chance as their western counterparts!
6) Increase NS pay--rank pay plus salary pay plus pay to company to substitute the NS Man
7) Mobilisation
o away with the area call ups--wasting people's time. instead massive broadcast any mobilisation. Shorten the number of mobilisations per year.8) 10-11 years of reservists. End it at age 35 for all except for those "loyal" KAHs.
