'New submarine not for arms race'

'New submarine not for arms race'

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore bought a used submarine last
month, not because of any regional anxiety over China's arms
buildup but because it was cheap, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
said in comments published yesterday.

Singapore announced on Sept. 23 that it was buying a second-
hand submarine from Sweden as part of a training package in
submarine warfare. The training scheme, offered by Sweden, starts
next year.

Lee said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times
syndicate's "Global Viewpoint" that every armed force believes in
upgrading.

"Here is the Swedish submarine," he said. "The economy is
doing well and it is a cheap sub. Its purchase will still be
within the five percent of GDP (gross domestic product) assigned
to defense. So, why not use it for some training?"