'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?"