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