Singapore’s strongest defence and deterrence is not any weapon system, but the “collective will” of its people to stand firm for their country and what they believe in, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said in parliament on 26 September 2025.
Speaking during the debate on the President’s Address, Chan emphasised that the defence of Singapore required a “whole of nation” effort.
Citizens, he argued, must see safeguarding the future not merely as the duty of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) but as a shared responsibility.
Foreign observers often asked what gave the SAF its strength.
Chan acknowledged that Singapore’s disciplined investments in equipment, technology and personnel had contributed to its credibility.
However, he argued that the country’s greatest advantage came from being able to draw upon the “talent and energies” of an entire population.
Harnessing diverse contributions to defence
According to Chan, the most effective operational and technical ideas for national defence had not only emerged from career soldiers, scientists or engineers.
Many innovations were generated by full-time national servicemen, reservists and even young Singaporeans yet to serve.
He pointed out that national service remained a vital institution that connected generations and ensured the country’s security was rooted in its people.
By tapping this broad base, the SAF could adapt more quickly and creatively than many larger militaries.
Chan said Singapore would continue to spend consistently and prudently on defence.
However, as warfare was being redefined by technology and shifting threats, decisions on what to buy, build or co-develop with partners had to be made judiciously.
Speed and innovation in capability development
“Timeliness, rather than perfection, matters more very often,” Chan explained. He noted that evolving capability development and acquisition processes was essential to keep pace with rapid changes in warfare.
By strengthening indigenous capacities and developing unique value propositions, Singapore could become a trusted partner in technological innovation, supply chain resilience and defence cooperation.
Such positioning, he said, was essential in a world where competition for advanced technology was intensifying.
Preparing for an unpredictable future
Looking ahead, Chan warned that the world would undergo faster and deeper changes, requiring Singapore to prepare for a broader range of possible scenarios.
To anticipate and respond effectively, he said citizens had to understand the world more deeply, create propositions to keep the country relevant, maintain cohesion, and uphold key principles.
He encouraged Singaporeans to read widely, think critically, and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
Falling into echo chambers, he cautioned, would risk reinforcing biases rather than preparing the nation to navigate global complexities.
Principles over neutrality in foreign policy
Chan stressed that Singapore would not take sides in international disputes but must take principled positions.
“We are ultimately responsible for our own destiny,” he said, adding that success would allow Singapore to choose its path without being held “ransom or hostage” by others.
He rejected the notion that foreign policy was about balancing or remaining neutral, calling neutrality a “dangerous concept” for small states. T
rying to balance without principles, he warned, would only encourage competing powers to exert pressure and shift Singapore’s “balancing point”.
To remain relevant and respected globally, Singapore needed to maintain independent perspectives rather than act as a proxy or mouthpiece.
Developing capabilities that others could not easily replicate would help ensure the country’s value in international partnerships.
Building resilience in the economy
Turning to the economy, Chan reminded parliament that “no one deals with Singapore out of charity or sympathy”.
The country must continue earning its place in the global economy by diversifying its activities, managing risks, and attracting talent from around the world.
He acknowledged that as global risks increased, Singapore’s attractiveness to international talent could strengthen its competitiveness.
Yet he also highlighted the need to balance integration with maintaining national competitiveness and cohesion.
Alternative networks in trade and investment
When existing global networks falter, Chan said Singapore must be ready to establish alternative structures to sustain an open trading and investment system.
He recalled how Singapore had pioneered comprehensive free trade agreements that went beyond simple tariff reductions, offering a model for future arrangements.
As global support for free trade and multilateralism frayed, Singapore would continue working with like-minded partners to establish new plurilateral and multilateral frameworks.
Even in an environment marked by tariffs and retaliatory measures, opportunities could emerge for Singapore to serve as a reliable and resilient partner.
Doubling down on competitive advantages
Chan stressed that Singapore must rely on man-made competitive advantages, including investments in education, a skilled workforce, strong institutions, and a forward-looking public service. Upholding the rule of law and political stability would also ensure continued international confidence.
At the same time, he said that economic growth had to translate into enlarging the “overall pie” for citizens.
Success had to be inclusive, benefiting different segments of society rather than creating persistent divides.
Tackling inequality and social mobility
Chan urged Singaporeans to recognise that their success was built on societal support and the help received along the way.
However, he cautioned that resources and disadvantages could be passed between generations, threatening social mobility.
He warned that the greater Singapore’s success, the greater the risk of inequality deepening.
To counter this, the nation needed to double efforts to break intergenerational disadvantages.
With limited resources, society would need to reach a consensus on how to distribute support fairly.
“Everyone gets help, everyone gets something. But not all of us will get the same,” he said. Support had to be differentiated according to need.
Respecting diversity and building cohesion
Chan also called for recognition of diverse strengths in Singaporean society and the celebration of excellence across multiple fields.
Citizens should move beyond their comfort zones, meet people with different experiences, and build mutual respect and common ground.
He emphasised that this openness would strengthen the social fabric and ensure resilience in the face of future challenges.
Governance and the role of public service
Chan, who also serves as coordinating minister for public services, reflected on Singapore’s governance record.
He said the country had done “reasonably well” but cautioned against complacency.
Other nations that had previously lagged behind in adopting technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence were now seizing opportunities to move ahead.
Singapore, he said, could not afford to remain static. “If we stand still, we will fall behind,” he added.
Adapting public service for future challenges
The public service, Chan said, had already undertaken reforms to make services more accessible and helpful.
However, it needed to continue doing better and exploring new approaches with finite resources.
He cautioned against blindly copying others, urging instead for boldness in creating solutions tailored to Singapore’s needs.
Meeting new challenges would require the public service to build additional capabilities and remain adaptable.
The service would continue to attract a diverse pool of talent, including mid-career professionals, and provide officers with opportunities to gain experience across the private and people sectors.
This approach, he said, would ensure Singapore remained prepared for an increasingly complex future.
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