A Comparative Study of the National Defence Policies of Singapore and Taiwan Between 1965 and 2008

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Comparative Study of the National Defence Policies of Singapore and Taiwan Between 1965 and 2008 A Comparative Study of the National Defence Policies of Singapore and Taiwan between 1965 and 2008 By Shang-su Wu Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2012 Abstract Research on the defence of small states is limited, particularly states in mari- time strategic locations, such as Singapore and Taiwan. While a substantial body of respective research on the security of Singapore and Taiwan is available, there is insufficient comparative research of the national defence of the two states. This dissertation explores and compares the national defence of these two small states in strategic maritime locations. A case-study comparative approach is undertaken in this research of the two countries’ deterrent strategies. This study concludes that Singapore presents a more suitable example for Taiwan in that it is also a small state focusing on keeping the peace and its own survival through the use of appropriate measures of deterrence. The ultimate goal of Taiwan’s deterrence, similar to that of Singapore, is not to engage in war but to maintain the status quo in the short-term. Additionally, Taiwan’s deterrence would also improve Taiwan’s position vis-à-vis China in the long-term as well as bring an assurance that China’s approaches toward Taiwan are firmly based in negotiation and respect for Taiwan. i Table of Contents ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………i TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………….ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………….v ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………………… vi CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION.………….…...…………………………1 1. THE IMPORTANCE OF SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN………………1 1.1 THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF SMALL STATES………………………………1 1.2 SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN……………………………………………………………3 2. LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………7 2.1 NATIONAL DEFENCE AND SMALL STATES……………………………………7 2.2 SINGAPORE………………………………………………………………………………13 2.3 TAIWAN……………………………………………………………………………………..14 3. RESERCH QUESTIONS………………………………………………………16 4. RATIONALE…………………………………………………………………….17 5. RESEARCH APPROACH……………………………………………………18 5.1 DATA RESOURCES………………………………………………………………………20 5.2 TERMINOLOGY……………………………………………………………………………21 6. CHAPTER OUTLINE…………………………………………………………24 CHAPTER TWO DETERRENCE AND SMALL STATES…………27 1. THE GROUNDS FOR DETERRENCE……………………………………27 2. THE EVOLUTION AND CONTEXT OF DETERRENCE……………29 2.1 NUCLEAR ORIGIN………………………………………………………………………29 ii 2.2 CONVENTIONAL EDITIONS OF DETERRENCE………………………………36 3. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH……………………………………………48 4. SMALL STATE DETERRENCE……………………………………………49 5. THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MARITIME SECURITY FOR SMALL STATES IN MARITIME STRATEGIC LOCATIONS………54 6. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………57 CHAPTER THREE TAIWAN’S DETERRENCE STRATEGY……59 1. GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUN……………………………………………………………………..59 2. AUTHORITARIAN PERIOD (1965-1988)……………………………64 2.1 FROM “RETAKE THE MAINLAND” TO DEFENDING TAIWAN …64 2.2 UNDERMINING EXTENDED DETERRENCE AND STRUGGLING GENERAL DETERRENCE………………………………………………………78 3. THE PERIOD OF DEMOCRATISATION (1988-2008)……………90 3.1 TRANSFORMATION FROM AUTHORITARIAN REGIME TO DEMOCRACY (1988-1995)………………………………………………………90 3.2 THE CRISIS PHASE (1995-2000)…………………………………………101 3.3 THE MINORITY GOVERNMENT PHASE (2000-2008)……………110 4. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………123 CHAPTER FOUR SINGAPORE’S DETERRENCE STRATEGY…129 1. HISTORICAL AND STRATEGIC CONDITIONS……………………129 2. THE ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD (1965-1975)…………………134 iii 3. THE COLD WAR PERIOD (1975-1990)……………………………151 4. THE POST-COLD WAR PERIOD (1990-2008)……..……………164 5. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………187 CHAPTER FIVE THE COMPARISON OF NATIONAL DEFENCE BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN…….192 1. EXTENDED DETERRENCE………………………………………………192 2. GENERAL DETERRENCE…………………………………………………195 3. THE LESSONS FOR TAIWAN……………………………………………217 BIBILOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………224 iv Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the capability and resolve to complete this thesis. First of all, I am deeply indebted to my supervi- sor, Andrew Tian Huat Tan, for his insightful guidance, clear instruction, infinite patience and rapid response to my drafts and questions. His supervision not only significantly accelerated my progress but also set an excellent example to conduct my research. I would also like to thank my co-supervisor, Ji You, for his broad knowledge and advices on my thesis. Next, I very much appreciated the committee of annual progress reviews carried out at the school of social sciences, especially Andrea Benvenuti, for strengthening my thesis through constructive questioning. I would also like to acknowledge the people who assisted me in conducting interviews and material collection. I appreciate that the interviewees, Chong-pin Lin, Kuo-Cheng Chang in Taiwan and Joshua How Hoang Ho and Bernard Fook Weng Lo in Singapore, accepted my requests for interviews and provided me with appropriate material and ideas. I am also grateful to the staff at my school, Katrina Harrison and Diane Taylor, for helping me to apply for the funding to cover the trip to Singapore. I am thankful to my friends, Lucian T.H. Hsu, Shao-Yen Chou, and Winston Yu- Tsang Wu, who readily discussed issues relating to my thesis. Thanks also go to my friends in Sydney, James Chuang, Kristine Shalvey, Naomi Murakami, Asano Tomo- nori, Takaaki Kosaka, Fiona Gordon, and Mette Granvik for giving me a balanced life. I would also like to offer special thanks to my family. Despite suffering from pancreatic cancer, my mother was very interested in my research and life in Aus- tralia through daily Skype conversations in my first year. After she passed away, my father and sisters continued to show interest in my thesis. Another person I want to thank is my girl friend, Janet Castro. Although we have had an “intercontinental relationship” since the beginning of 2010, her endur- ing love has been demonstrated from reading my first draft to listening to my re- hearsal of the presentation in the postgraduate seminar. Without her thoughtful support, I could have not written my thesis with a peaceful mind. Newtown, October 2012 Shang-su Wu v ABBREVIATIONS AAM Air-to-Air Missile ADC Air Defence Council AIDC Aero Development Centre APC Armoured Personnel Carrier ARF ASEAN Regional Forum ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations ASW Anti-Submarine Warfare AWACS Air Warning and Control System BVR Beyond-Vision-Range C3I Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence C4I Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence CCP Chinese Communist Party CIS Chartered Industry of Singapore CIWS Close-In Weapon System CPM Communist Party of Malaya CIST Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology DPP Democratic Progress Party vi DPRK Democratic People’s Republic of Korea FPDA Five Power Defence Arrangement FRAM Fleet Rehabilitation And Modernisation GLC Governmental Linked Company HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System IADS Integrated Air Defence System ICJ International Court of Justice IDF Indigenous Defence Fighter in Ch. 3; the Israeli Defence Forces in Ch. 2 and 4 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle IISS International Institute of Strategy Study IT Information Technology JCC Joint Consultative Council KMT Kuomintang, the Chinese Nationalist Party LCM Landing Craft, Mechanised LSD Landing Ship, Dock LST Landing Ship, Tanks MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group MAD Mutually Assured Destruction MAF Malaysian Armed Forces MBT Main Battle Tank MC Maritime Command vii MINDEF Ministry of Defence MLRS Multi-Launch Rocket System MND Ministry of National Defence NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NPT Non-Proliferation Treaty PAC-3 Patriot Advanced Capability 3 PAP People’s Action Party PGM Precise Guided Munitions PLA People’s Liberation Army PLAAF People’s Liberation Army Air Force PLAN People’s Liberation Army Navy PLANAF People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force PLO Palestine Liberation Organisation PRC People’s Republic of China PSI Proliferation Security Initiative R&D Research and Development RMA Revolution of Military Affairs RMAF Royal Malaysia Air Force RMN Royal Malaysia Navy ROC Republic of China ROCA Republic of China Army ROCAF Republic of China Air Force viii ROCN Republic of China Navy ROK Republic of Korea RSAF Republic of Singapore Air Force RSN Republic of Singapore Navy SADC Singapore Air Defence Command SAF Singapore Armed Forces SAM Surface-to-Air Missile SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SCDF Singapore Civil Defence Force SLOC Sea Lines of Communication SSBN Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine SSK Hunter-killer submarine SSN Nuclear powered attack submarine ST Singapore Technologies TMD Theatre Missile Defence TRA Taiwan Relation Act UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UMNO United Malays National Organisation UN United Nations US United States ix Chapter One Introduction 1. The Importance of Singapore and Taiwan 1.1 The national security of small states The significance of small states is increasing relative to their number and growing interdependency in the world. More and more countries have come into being since the end of the Second World War, and most of these new countries are small states; this is especially true in terms of their military capabilities. Furthermore, the impact of warfare and other events related to national security is far broader than it was in previous eras. Firstly, growing globalisation, through internationally distributed production chains, trade and other international ties, makes interdependency deeper and tighter. Thus, a small armed conflict may shock the global economy by disturbing those connections
Recommended publications
  • Singapore, July 2006
    Library of Congress – Federal Research Division Country Profile: Singapore, July 2006 COUNTRY PROFILE: SINGAPORE July 2006 COUNTRY Formal Name: Republic of Singapore (English-language name). Also, in other official languages: Republik Singapura (Malay), Xinjiapo Gongheguo― 新加坡共和国 (Chinese), and Cingkappãr Kudiyarasu (Tamil) சி க யரச. Short Form: Singapore. Click to Enlarge Image Term for Citizen(s): Singaporean(s). Capital: Singapore. Major Cities: Singapore is a city-state. The city of Singapore is located on the south-central coast of the island of Singapore, but urbanization has taken over most of the territory of the island. Date of Independence: August 31, 1963, from Britain; August 9, 1965, from the Federation of Malaysia. National Public Holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1); Lunar New Year (movable date in January or February); Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice, movable date in February); Good Friday (movable date in March or April); Labour Day (May 1); Vesak Day (June 2); National Day or Independence Day (August 9); Deepavali (movable date in November); Hari Raya Puasa (end of Ramadan, movable date according to the Islamic lunar calendar); and Christmas (December 25). Flag: Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; a vertical white crescent (closed portion toward the hoist side), partially enclosing five white-point stars arranged in a circle, positioned near the hoist side of the red band. The red band symbolizes universal brotherhood and the equality of men; the white band, purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents Click to Enlarge Image a young nation on the rise, while the five stars stand for the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.
    [Show full text]
  • The Start and Evolution of Bilateral Defense Relations Between Singapore and the United States of America
    THE START AND EVOLUTION OF BILATERAL DEFENSE RELATIONS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Interviewee: Mr. Stephen J. Moree Interviewer: Jaime Wong Course: 20* Century World History Instructor: Mr. David Brandt Date: Febmary 12 2007 Table of Contents Statement of purpose 3 Biography 4 Historical contextualization 6 Interview transcription 25 Interview analysis 56 Works consulted 62 statement of purpose The purpose ofthis project is to provide a "behind the scenes" look at the evolution of bilateral defense relations between Singapore and the United States from 1965 to present day. Mr. Stephen J. Moree provides a significant amount of information regarding his personal experience working primarily in defense relations with Singapore and other Southeast Asian nations. It gives an intimate look at a topic which rarely sees much press coverage. Table of contents Biography] Mr. Stephen J. Moree was bom in 1 %2 in London Ontario, Canada. After obtaining a Maters Degree in Criminal Justice and management from the University of Tennessee, Mr. Moree eventually enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1984 at the age of 22 and served in the Security Forces branch, working first as a Northeast Asia Foreign area officer and later on in the Air Force International Affairs Office. He has been assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force, international affeirs since 15 June 2003. After six years, he served in "Operation Desert Storm" from 1990 to 1991. While on active duty Mr. Moree was awarded numerous decorations, to include the Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster. He eventually retired from the Air Force in 2006, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
    [Show full text]
  • Challenges-And-Reforms-In-Urban
    ©2016 Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), Singapore and Development Research Center of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (DRC). All rights reserved. CLC is a division of Set up in 2008 by the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has as its mission “to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities”. CLC’s work spans four main areas — Research, Capability Development, Knowledge Platforms, and Advisory. Through these activities, CLC hopes to provide urban leaders and practitioners with the knowledge and support needed to make our cities better. The Development Research Center of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (DRC) is a policy research and consulting institution directly under the State Council, the central government of the People's Republic of China. Its major function is to undertake research on the overall, comprehensive, strategic and long-term issues in economic and social development, as well as pressing problems related to reform and opening up of China’s economy, and provide policy options and consulting advice to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Centre for Liveable Cities Development Research Center of the State 45 Maxwell Road Council of the People’s Republic of China #07-01 The URA Centre 225 Chaoyangmenwai Avenue Singapore 069118 Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China Website: www.clc.gov.sg Website: www.en.drc.gov.cn ISBN #9789814765305 (print) e-ISBN #9789814765350 (e-book) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Corvettes and Opvs Countering Manpads Air Forces Directory Corvettes and Opvs Countering Manpads Air Forces Directory Singapore
    VOLUME 26/ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2018 US$15 ASIA PAcific’s LARGEST CIRCULATED DEFENCE MAGAZINE SINGAPORE’S ARMED FORCES ASIA-PACIFIC MAIN BATTLE TANKS MALE /HALE UAVS CORVETTES AND OPVS COUNTERING MANPADS AIR FORCES DIRECTORY www.asianmilitaryreview.com B:216 mm T:213 mm S:197 mm AQS-24 B:291 mm S:270 mm T:286 mm THE VALUE OF ENSURING AN UNDERSEA ADVANTAGE KNOWS NO BORDERS. Mines don’t recognize borders, nor should the most advanced mine hunting solutions. Only Northrop Grumman’s advanced AQS-24 family of sensors deliver unparalleled performance with complete adaptability. From hardware versatility (deployable from helicopter or unmanned surface vessel) to increased speed in mission execution, the AQS-24 is the future of mine warfare. That’s why we’re a leader in advanced undersea technology. www.northropgrumman.com/minehunter ©2017 Northrop Grumman Corporation 02 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW | ©2017 Northrop Grumman Corporation Project Manager: Vanessa Pineda Document Name: NG-MSH-Z35767-B.indd Element: P4CB Current Date: 9-18-2017 11:09 AM Studio Client: Northrop Grumman Bleed: 216 mm w x 291 mm h Studio Artist: DAW Product: MSH Trim: 213 mm w x 286 mm h Proof #: 3-RELEASE Proofreader Creative Tracking: NG-MSH-Z35767 Safety: 197 mm w x 270 mm h Print Scale: None Page 1 of 1 Print Producer Billing Job: NG-MSH-Z35767 Gutter: None InDesign Version: CC 2015 Title: AQS-24 Intl Aus - Asian Military Review Color List: None Art Director Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Creative Director Document Path: Mechanicals:Northrop_Grumman:NG-MSH:NG-MSH-Z35767:NG-MSH-Z35767-B.indd
    [Show full text]
  • Trainer's​ Guide​ (Primary)
    TRAINER’S GUIDE Copyright © PUB, Singapore’s national water agency 2011. Revised 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publishers. For more information, please visit us at www.abcwaterslearningtrails.sg or email us at [email protected]. Contents Objectives of the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Learning Trail @ Sengkang Floating Wetland 1 Details of the ABC Waters Learning Trail @ Sengkang Floating Wetland 2 Educational Approaches 2 Before the Trip 3 Wet Weather Procedure 3 Summary of the ABC Waters Learning Trail @ Sengkang Floating Wetland 4 Lesson Plan for the ABC Waters Learning Trail @ Sengkang Floating Wetland 8 Introduction 8 Station 1: What is Sengkang Floating Wetland? 11 Station 2: Physical Conditions at Sengkang Floating Wetland 13 Station 3: The Floating Wetlands in Singapore / Animals at Sengkang Floating Wetland 15 Station 4: Plants at Punggol Reservoir 18 Debrief and Reflection 19 Extension Activity: Sengkang Floating Wetland Food Chains and Food Web 21 References 21 Annexes 22 Annex 1: Preparation Brief for ABC Waters Learning Trail 22 Annex 2: Suggested Information for Risk Assessment Management (RAM) Form 23 Annex 3: “Water Cycle” Cards 35 Annex 4: Build-A-Floating-Wetland Activity 35 Annex 5: Suggested Packing List (of Resources) – for Trainers 37 Objectives of the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Learning Trail @ Sengkang Floating Wetland This place-based inquiry experience aims to help students: 1. Foster a sense of national identity, pride as Singaporeans, and emotional rootedness to the nation.
    [Show full text]
  • Ultimax Layout
    THE LIGHTEST 5.56mm Calibre Machine Gun in the World The ultimate 5.56mm light machine gun... the lightest squad automatic weapon in the world that meets all modern combat requirements. Designed from the onset for one-man operation, the Ultimax 100 is a gas- operated magazine fed weapon. The Ultimax 100 incorporates a number of significantly outstanding features: PATENTED “CONSTANT RECOIL” PRINCIPLE LIGHTWEIGHT A revolutionary “Constant Recoil” concept practically The Ultimax 100, when fully loaded with 100 rounds of eliminates recoil and gives the Ultimax 100 exceptional ammunition, weighs only 6.8kg, lighter than many other controllability in automatic fire, better than any existing 5.56mm LMG empty. assault rifle and machine guns. FIREPOWER ACCURATE AND CONTROLLABLE The combination of lightweight and accuracy leads to The minimal recoil of the Ultimax 100 enables it to a dramatic increase in effective firepower. A saving of be fired accurately in full automation from the ammunition comes with accuracy and the lightness of hip, or with one arm. The controllability of the the weapon also enables the soldier to carry more Ultimax 100 is also unaffected even when fired ammunition. with the butt detached, a feature especially useful when space is limited or confined such QUICK RELEASE BARREL The Ultimax 100 comes with a quick-change barrel as in airborne or armoured infantry roles. feature. The barrels are pre-zeroed and can be changed quickly by the soldier. RELIABLE A 3-position gas regulator enables the weapon to function reliably even in adverse environment such as jungle, sub-zero and desert conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Industry: Centralized Control of Abundant
    Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Industry: Centralized Control of Abundant Suppliers David An, Matt Schrader, Ned Collins-Chase May 2018 About the Global Taiwan Institute GTI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit policy incubator dedicated to insightful, cutting-edge, and inclusive research on policy issues regarding Taiwan and the world. Our mission is to enhance the relationship between Taiwan and other countries, especially the United States, through policy research and programs that promote better public understanding about Taiwan and its people. www.globaltaiwan.org About the Authors David An is a senior research fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute. David was a political-military affairs officer covering the East Asia region at the U.S. State Department from 2009 to 2014. Mr. An received a State Department Superior Honor Award for initiating this series of political-military visits from senior Taiwan officials, and also for taking the lead on congressional notification of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He received his M.A. from UCSD Graduate School of Global Policy and Strategy and his B.A. from UC Berkeley. Matt Schrader is the Editor-in-Chief of the China Brief at the Jamestown Foundation, MA candidate at Georgetown University, and previously an intern at GTI. Mr. Schrader has over six years of professional work experience in China. He received his BA from the George Washington University. Ned Collins-Chase is an MA candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and previously an intern at GTI. He has worked in China, been a Peace Corps volunteer in Mo- zambique, and was also an intern at the US State Department.
    [Show full text]
  • Able Archers: Taiwan Defense Strategy in an Age of Precision Strike
    (Image Source: Wired.co.uk) Able Archers Taiwan Defense Strategy in an Age of Precision Strike IAN EASTON September 2014 |Able Archers: Taiwan Defense Strategy and Precision Strike | Draft for Comment Able Archers: Taiwan Defense Strategy in an Age of Precision Strike September 2014 About the Project 2049 Institute The Project 2049 Institute seeks to guide decision makers toward a more secure Asia by the century’s Cover Image Source: Wired.co.uk mid-point. Located in Arlington, Virginia, the organization fills a gap in the public policy realm Above Image: Chung Shyang UAV at Taiwan’s 2007 National Day Parade through forward-looking, region-specific research on alternative security and policy solutions. Its Above Image Source: Wikimedia interdisciplin ary approach draws on rigorous analysis of socioeconomic, governance, military, environmental, technological and political trends, and input from key players in the region, with an eye toward educating the public and informing policy debate. ii |Able Archers: Taiwan Defense Strategy and Precision Strike | Draft for Comment About the Author Ian Easton is a research fellow at the Project 2049 Institute, where he studies defense and security issues in Asia. During the summer of 2013 , he was a visiting fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIIA) in Tokyo. Previously, he worked as a China analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA). He lived in Taipei from 2005 to 2010. During his time in Taiwan he worked as a translator for Island Technologies Inc. and the Foundation for Asia-Pacific Peace Studies. He also conducted research with the Asia Bureau Chief of Defense News.
    [Show full text]
  • Anti Armour Joint Survivability Dismounted
    COVER-MAY 13:AMR 6/11/13 1:37 PM Page 1 VOLUME 21/ISSUE 3 MAY 2013 US$15 A S I A P A C I F I C ’ S L A R G E S T C I R C U L A T E D D E F E N C E M A G A Z I N E ANTI ARMOUR SUBMARINE WARFARE JOINT SURVIVABILITY SPECIAL MISSION DISMOUNTED ISTAR AIRCRAFT NAVAL DIRECTORY SINGAPORE MILITARY www.asianmilitaryreview.com GMB_2013_ISR_AsianMilitaryRev_April_002_Print.pdf 1 4/18/13 2:53 PM Content & Edit May13:AMR 6/11/13 6:03 PM Page 3 MAY 2013 ContentsContentsVOLUME 21 / ISSUE 3 06 Front Cover Photo: The fuel cell powered HDW Class 212A submarines have been in service with the German Navy since 2005. A The Wide Blue Yonder second batch of two boats in currently under construction Martin Streetly at ThyssenKrupp Marine As a region dominated by the vastnesses of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Systems in Kiel, Germany © the Asia-Pacific nations have always had a strong interest in the ability to police ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and monitor their national and economic regional interests 14 Singapore’s 48 Defence Stance Gordon Arthur Singapore may be the smallest country in SE Asia but it has 54 region’s most able military. Perched on tip of Malay Peninsula Survivability: Submarine warfare where Malacca and Singapore Stopping Enemy and upgrades Straits converge, Singapore Fires On Sea achieves world’s 4th highest Ted Hooton A century ago naval power was defence expenditure per capita AndLand counted in battleships, but the Gordon Arthur modern arbiter of naval power Survivability on the battlefield is consists of invisible battleships 40 important… obviously! Threats submarines which have played a 23 come from multiple directions major role in shaping modern Asia and in many shapes, so the per- and are likely to continue to tinent question is how to protect do so.
    [Show full text]
  • ST Kinetics Ou Les Ambitions De Singapour Dans L'armement
    ST Kinetics ou les ambitions de Singapour dans l’armement Classé 44e dans le top 100 mondial des (716 km², soit équivalent à l’agglomé- 2nd generation SAF (1990’) : effort industries de défense1, ST Engineering ration parisienne), et d’une faible dé- de défense consacré au renforce- 5 se présente comme un groupe aux mographie face à ses voisins (5,5 M ment des moyens disponibles et à activités duales. Le chiffre d’affaires d’habitants contre 29,5 M d’habitants la modernisation des plateformes. (CA) Défense 2015 atteint 36% du CA en Malaisie et 252 M d’habitants en 3rd Generation SAF : (2004-) : plan total, soit 2,28 Mds SGD2 (~1,52 Indonésie), Singapour se trouve en de développement capacitaire Md€3). situation de dépendance sécuritaire. mettant l’accent sur le développe- Le groupe, dont l’Etat singapourien est Ainsi, dès son indépendance, une Dé- ment et l’acquisition de systèmes l’actionnaire majoritaire (>50% du fense forte et crédible est considérée autonomes, de capacités en capital via le fonds souverain Temasek) comme indispensable par les autorités frappes de précision et de sys- compte quatre branches d’activités du pays, garantie de sa survie face à tèmes de communication avancés. ses Etats voisins. principales : Pour accompagner cette politique, les ST Aerospace (33% du CA) : services Dans ce contexte, les autorités singa- autorités singapouriennes ont placé le d’ingénierie et de maintenances pouriennes ont mené une politique de budget de défense au cœur des dé- aéronautiques. défense au cours des 50 dernières penses du gouvernement. Le budget ST Electronics (27% du CA) : con- années visant à accompagner le déve- défense est même en croissance nomi- ception, développement et pro- loppement capacitaire des forces ar- nale constante, périodes de crises duction de systèmes d’information mées, pour en faire aujourd’hui l’une financières (1997 et 2007) comprises.
    [Show full text]
  • Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma to Open Singapore Office
    September 19, 2013 Press Release Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma to Open Singapore Office Osaka, Japan, September 19, 2013---Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (President & Representative Director, CEO: Michihiro Tsuchiya,) announced today that the company will open a representative office in Singapore on October 1 this year. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation has been operating its Southeast Asian business through P.T. Tanabe Indonesia, a sales and manufacturing subsidiary of the Company. Aiming further contribution to medical care in Southeast Asian counties, the Company will supply pharmaceuticals that meet the regional market needs determined by the newly opened office in Singapore, a center of the ASEAN economy, high level medical technology, and medical information. The planned Singapore office will serve as a base to manage the operation of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma's pharmaceutical business in Southeast Asia, while P.T. Tanabe Indonesia will be positioned as a manufacturing base of Southeast Asian countries. The Company will endeavor to build a business structure for effective and efficient operations in the Southeast Asian region. Establishing the foundation for expanded overseas operations has been set as a major business strategy under our Medium-Term Management Plan 11-15, New Value Creation. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation will expand its pharmaceutical business in the Southeast Asian market, which is expected to grow even further in the future. <Outline of Singapore office> Name: MITSUBISHI TANABE PHARMA CORPORATION REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE REGISTERED IN SINGAPORE Location: 60 Anson Road #10-01 Mapletree Anson Singapore 079914 Start of operations: Oct. 1, 2013 Business activities: Conducting market research in Southeast Asia <For further information contact:> Corporate Communications Department Phone: +81-6-6205-5211 .
    [Show full text]
  • The Management of Threats in Singapore: Civil-Military Integration
    The Management of Threats in Singapore: Civil-Military Integration Isaac Neo Yi Chong Introduction Compared to many other militaries around the Southeast Asia region, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has remained “one of the least politically-oriented national military forces in Southeast Asia” (Huxley, 1993, p. 1), with the government having firmly established civilian supremacy over the military. With a large citizen army due to a policy of conscription requiring every Singaporean male to serve two years of “National Service” (NS), and a long-running tradition of military scholar-officers permeating the ranks of the civil service and political leadership, one would expect the SAF to play a political role in a highly militarised state. Instead, as Chan Heng Chee (1985, p. 136) notes, “the most striking feature of the Singapore scene is the undisputed predominance of the civilian sector over the military.” This phenomenon is often attributed to a strong “civil-military fusion,” where the military functions as an integral part of the administrative structure of the state, complementing its social and economic domains, and identifies fully with the “values, interests, and national goals” of the civilian government instead of having its own ideological positions (T. Y. Tan, 2001, p. 278). However, most explanations of civil-military relations in Singapore focus more on institutional explanations. What has been underexplored are how structural factors, such as international and domestic threats, affect relations between state, society, and the military and hence the level of civilian control over the military. A key proponent of this approach, Michael Desch, predicts that in a country like Singapore, which has arguably experienced high and persistent levels of internal and external threats for most of its history, should suffer from degraded civilian control of the military (Table 1).
    [Show full text]