S'pore to spend more on defense

S'pore to spend more on defense

SINGAPORE: Singapore will set aside an extra 1 percent of its annual S$8.62 billion dollar (US$5.16 billion) budget for research into new defense technology to help churn out "third generation" soldiers, the defense minister said in remarks published on Sunday.

The additional S$86 million, which comes on top of 4 percent to 5 percent budgeted for research and development, will go toward exploring weapons, tactics and capabilities the military will need in the event of a war.

Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean said in the Sunday Times that the move to beef up defense technology was necessary given the city-state's limited resources.

"If warfare today were still fought on the basis of swords and shields and bows and arrows, we would be in deep trouble because we don't have as many arms to carry swords and shields as other people," said Teo.

The defense ministry has 3,000 scientists, engineers and technology specialists involved mostly in research and development to invent solutions that will give the Singapore military an edge in battle, Teo said.--AFP