SINGAPORE — Small states like Singapore must never take peace for granted, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen today (March 5), especially in the face of new security threats, such as cyberthreats and the growing use of disinformation in warfare.

Pointing to “hybrid warfare” — involving conventional and unconventional methods by both state and non-state actors — Dr Ng illustrated how this was most recently played out in Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

He described hybrid warfare as the “exact antagonist” of Singapore’s Total Defence strategy, saying: “Hybrid warfare is an orchestrated campaign to fracture the solidarity of the target nation through undermining its defences in civil, economic, social, psychological and military spheres.”

For example, in both Crimea and ISIS’ operations, disinformation was amplified through social media. The Singapore Armed Forces will have to raise its capabilities to detect and counter such threats, said Dr Ng. No country, including Singapore, is immune to this disinformation war, he said.

The minister also said the SAF will upgrade its capabilities at a “steady pace”.

From next year, the Singapore Navy will start replacing its Patrol Vessels with new Littoral Mission Vessels. Similarly, the Army will use new Protected Response Vehicles in place of the V200 for in-country defence.

The Super Puma helicopters, which have been in service for almost 30 years, will also need replacements over the next decade, said Dr Ng.