Singapore’s military going more hi-tech as recruitment slides

A growing threat of terrorism is putting a strain on Singapore’s small and shrinking army, pushing it towards greater reliance on automation and technology such as unmanned patrol systems to protect the island state, its defence minister Ng Eng Hen said.

The Singapore government earlier this month described the terror threat as the highest in recent years.

The emergence of militants loyal to Islamic State in the Philippines, where security forces have been battling since late May to recapture Marawi City, showed the extent of the danger to Southeast Asia, Ng said.

“It’s endemic in our backyard, and the incident in Marawi is but another symptom to tell us that,” Ng told reporters, adding Singapore was prepared to deploy ships if asked to help patrol near the area.

Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have stepped up coordinated patrols in the Sulu Sea, separating the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, where Marawi is located, from Malaysian and Indonesian territory on Borneo island.

Ng said it is premature to decide what kind of help – aircraft, ships, refuelling facilities or medical staff – could be provided, but said it was in Singapore’s interests to be involved.