Isn't the training squadron in France still operating the TA-4S for a short while longer?

The A4s were retired back in 2005 iirc. So I think the training squadrons would have switched aircraft by now. I could be wrong though.


The Singapore Army: Army Annual Review

They seem to have a lot of nice equipment, good for them. They have a huge geographical disadvantage. Their country is just 700 square kilometers!
















 

GREAT PHOTOS!!!!

That is a pretty awesome static and demo setup!!

What is really disappointing is local Singaporeans not realizing that the peace we have hasn't always been the case nor would it always be.

Quite sadly that's the case with most any prosperous country which didn't see a major war for a couple decades. People get complacent. People start taking their prosperity, comfort and peace for granted. But if any micro-nation can hold their own as long as it takes for her allies to intervene, obviously it's Singapore.


 

thank you for posting these pics!

I am glad to see we'll have good friends in the region if the Chinese get froggy.

 I knew that they were due to be replaced  and there were M-346s on order but yep,150 Sqn in France still has their Skyhawks for lead-in fighter training!

Fake Armor Force......Not one drip pan under any of those vehicles.......

Just kidding, nice pics, thanks for posting... some nice hardware...

diggin the FN Mag with the wood buttstock.

Sweet!  Not bad for a fascist shit hole

Someone has some serious dough to spend on cool toys...

Some good looking stuff there.

I like the pic of their commanding General addressing the troops in khaki pants and a t shirt.

My mom is singaporian. Met my dad while he was a Marine on embassy duty in the early 80s. I have several family members in the military over there since service is compulsory for males. My cousin came close to loosing his hand in a tank track last month. It's almost like the Asian version of NYC with alot less crime. Weather sucks ass though.

They have some pretty cool looking hardware.

I see, you seem to keep track of these things better than I do.

Something for the armour fans.

I'm in the 1st Bionix in the column.

That could be said of all countries that enjoy peace at home.

Great pics, thanks for posting them.

So basically the weapons of the citizens of the United States of America are outclassed by the Tird World because of laws.  Awesome.  Hooray FREEDOM.

Great photos, that would have been a fun show to check out.



Lots of "tier one" gear
I agree with the sentiment about the laws here and the restrictions that I believe are even unconstitutional but... third world?
even when not used as the political term...
"...Yet in this small island nation
of only 5 million, known for extravagant shopping, high-end
restaurants, and draconian chewing-gum laws, nearly one in every six
households has more than $1 million in assets, making it the densest
population of wealthy households in the world, according to a new report
by Boston Consulting Group." http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jun2011/pi2011062_946842.htm
and I am happy to see they are spending wisely on many American made goods!
 



 

yeah.  Ultimax 100  made in Singapore

I want a SAR 21 pretty badly, almost more than a Steyr Aug

Great pics Raptor. Thanks!

You're welcome.

... While I have an immense respect for ST Aerospace; they're an accomplished aircraft engineering, manufacturing and depot-level repair organization - they are not on par with American firms with similar business models. Not even close

Of course ST can't compare to US defense industries. We have very strict budgeting, which limits the expenditure into R&D, etc.

Not that Singapore doesn't have R&D. We have a unique arrangement where DSTA/DSO (govt-owned research institutions) does the research for the govt and ST is only the contractor/builder....so its a very rather different eco-system here. Whereas in the US, i understand the govt funds private research which sometimes is driven by profitability.

Happened to chance upon this forum...so as a current reserve personnel, I can share these info to commonly asked questions.

We have a relatively strong/modern military force because we're tiny and have no strategic depth for defense. So there is a strong focus on obtaining a 'swift and decisive victory' in any conflict. We are in south-east asia, among very large neighbors that has been peaceful with Singapore but occasionally take an aggressive/hostile stance in political turbulence.

WW2 saw the failure/surrender of the british army that led to the violent Japanese occupation for over 3 years. It strengthens the beliefs that we cannot depend on any external help, so the govt beliefs in a strong military that is self-reliant and able to take on full spectrum of operations...

Haven't fought a war, but we validate our operations/doctrines by constantly getting involved with UN missions in afghanistan, iraq, gulf of aden etc. also training with many foreign countries on bilateral or unilateral large-scale exercises on foreign ground.

Since early 2000s, there's been a big focus on 3rd generation transformation. Essentially it is networking. Today fighters/longbow Apaches, Leopard 2 tanks, Bionix/Terrex IFV, ground infantry troops, can see each other's situation picture, send targeting information wirelessly. Artillery units have automatic targeting from GPS co-ordinates - just drive into firing range and the guns move on their own and fire with a button.. Touch screens and tablets are now everywhere...

Brief facts on the Singapore Army...
formed upon independence in 1965 and took over defense roles upon british pullout in 1971, amidst troubled times
Currently 350,000 strong in reserve call-up strength, and aboutt 50-70,000 professionals + active conscripts (doing their 2 years full-time).
900,000 past conscripts have gone through the system, serving as officers/specialists/enlistees - in commandos, armour, infantry, air defense, artillery, etc.

Conscripts serve 24-months in all ranks/vocations - goes through same training as professional soldiers).
Thereafter serve annual training and exercises up to 40 days for 10 years.
Most of the time they stick with their units from their 2-year full-time till the end of 10-year reserve duties. Training with them on division/brigade/battalion levels...in local/overseas ground.

Approximate size force of 5 known divisions...combined arms, with infantry, armor, artillery, air defense.

Air force has nearly 200 jets, F-15SG with AESA radars, F-16C/D with specialized EW suites, AMRAAM, L-JDAM, etc. Maritime patrol aircraft with harpoon/torpedo, SeaHawks with sonar and torps, israeli-built Gulfstream CAEW G550, Israeli Heron1/Hermes450/Searcher UAV. Some are based overseas so that they have space to train... because of a tiny airspace of roughly 25 x 25 miles, congested with civilian traffic.

Navy has 6 stealth frigates(Aster/Harpoon), 6 corvettes(Barak/Harpoon/Boeing UAV), 11 patrol vessels, 4 LST, 6 subs (swedish sodermanland-class), a coastal defense unit on speedboats, a naval diving unit (NDU), modelled after US Navy SEALs (many Army SOF/Navy NDU guys  have gone to the US SEAL course and several has topped their cohort).

I won't take offense with calling us third-world, perhaps u haven't been around our part of the world much.

But I've been around Europe and the US a lot...and as a matter of fact, there are many places in the States that are more backward than Singapore in terms of standard of living, technology, education, etc. Many parts of Asia are by no means third-world.

Cheers!

Damn French light tanks always killing the arty!


 

Haha...you might have confused Singapore with Taiwan, we have no historical links/conflicts with China whatsoever and we are too faraway from mainland China, over 3,000 miles away across half of Asia.

The only concern Singapore has with China is the China/US relations and the rest of the world, such that we don't want conflict between them or having to choose who to do business with.... no military concern for us though. :)

Thanks! We been told from day-1 of receiving our rifles...and threatened with a charge/summary trial and punishment for misfires, even on blanks!

looks like they take a lot of pride and the people seem to love it. kudos and thanks for the pics,looks like a fine army

BUT! Where are the after party pictures from 4 floors?
I REALLY LIKED Singapore, it was one of the greatest countries I visited in the Military.  Friendly people, great food, lots of touristy stuff to do mixed with a decent nightlife (Pro tip: Don't let your platoon mates rub up on women in the triad bar on Clarke Quay).



 

hahahaha.  Damn 13 90 gets matched with the high tier stuff!  

I lament that the Bat Chatillon 25t doesn't maneuver as well as the heavier less powerful Lorraine 40t.

Interesting thread.

what?

This is really an impressive thread; thanks for posting it.

Everything I have been told is that the generally upspoken - because it means invading your neighbor - policy is to meet the threat before it reaches Singapore because there is simply no room there to fight.

not in a position to comment. but I can only say... 'it is widely believed to be so...according to analysts' ...and how you read the way they rehearse/exercise for operations.. :) Cheers!

yup. That's right. The americans may read it differently...but China is not going to invade and conquer the whole Asia...they are not really a threat to Asia, militarily speaking.

They are concerned only with political influence and how it plays with their economy - its business.

I'm guessing the Americans' concern are prob with how China's power may come into play with Korea/Taiwan issues and its influence over the rest of the Pacific.

There're some countries that want to play up the threat to gain American military aid, with the territorial conflicts over some islands. Singapore isn't even involved in this, except that as part of ASEAN, they want to have a voice to be a peacemaker.

Then again Singapore is allowing the US to transit in our ports...so that there's a balance of power/influence, but its not so much to prevent a China military threat to this part of the world....at least not in the near future.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/big_lobang/photo%20of%202009/1a188516.jpg

Here's another AMX-13 SM1 (Singapore Modernised Version 1), taken off someone else's blog. Location is the parade grounds of a camp in Singapore, at the back is a M113A2 with Singapore-fitted 40/50 turret. It has Singapore-made .5HMG coupled with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

These are believed to be ex-israeli after the six-day war. They were the first tanks in Southeast Asia in the late 60s. Upgraded in the 80s with new diesels/transmission, with a top speed of about 60km/h (35-40mph) and laser rangefinders.

Both the M113 and AMX-13 SM1 were retired in 2008/09.

China is not a military threat to Asia? China is a global power, China is a military threat to the whole planet.

I'm not a soldier though so what do I know...

I guess the Chinese are building, training with and deploying these babies to deliver gummy bears to their neighbors who are 3000 miles away thusly can't be reached with martial power:

That may be what western media/powers are playing up to gain political support for more budget/weapons....

But here in Asia, we read the situation very differently...countries are firstly made up of people. To understand a country/culture, you have to understand the people.

They are about business and wanting to be respected/gain a fair playing ground in economies/political influence. They are not a threat, unless Korea/Taiwan issues take a turn.

We'll just have to agree to disagree then. I don't have the audacity to disagree with a nation's soldier about that nation's geopolitical issues.

Let's hope you're right.

Thanks anyway, that's very kind of u...hopefully we will never see war !

By the way I speak on my own opinions, not necessarily the country's beliefs. :) Cheers !

You're in luck man, I recently started restraining myself from needless arguments, a few weeks ago, we'd already be calling each other racial slurs by now.

Its used only in the commandos (airborne special forces), together with MP-5N, HK-416, FN P-90, M110, AX50 rifles..etc.

Typical soldiers are not issued sidearms, except for military policeman, special forces, etc.

The standard sidearms for these personnel are the Sig-Sauer P226 in 9mm.

I was TDY at Paya Lebar Air Base back in the mid/late 90's.

Singapore was/is a Beautiful place.  I would love to go back.  At that time, they had F-5's that were some pretty badass lil planes.  They were no match for our F15's, but still a force to be reckoned with.  The only place i found to be a real shit-hole was the area called Little-India.  All the Muslims were there and they were pretty ignorant toward Americans.  Other than that everywhere I went we had a great time and loved it.

I wish I could go back and have always wanted to get there 1 more time.

You can always come by for vacation...many new and exciting places have popped up in the last 5 years. :)

I wonder how long more they will fly those F-5S, since the F-15SG already attained FOC.... they are certainly no match for F-15, but I think RSAF really stretched their capabilities hard.... They are supposedly AMRAAM capable and fitted with jammers good enough to bring them close into a dogfight. Widely believed to be fitted with helmet-mounted cueing for all-round off-aspect employment of Python 4/5 missiles. They are 'tigers on steroids', albeit with short legs. LOL