He said Singapore would continue to play a key role in creating a security architecture within the Asia-Pacific, and the recently-held Shangri-La Dialogue was a good example where top defence experts and leaders from more than 20 countries come together to exchange views of immediate concern like disaster relief.
30 June 2008: Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean says to prepare for conflict, army training should be conducted in a realistic but safe environment.
And that's the dilemma faced by armies including the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as there is no magic formula for this.
Mr Teo was speaking to the reporters ahead of SAF Day on July 1.
His comments follows the recent deaths of two servicemen who collapsed while training.
Mr Teo, who was at the SAF Specialist School to observe a simulated attack, said there must be checks in the system to ensure safety procedures are carried out properly during training.
Safety protocols in the SAF are also benchmarked with those of other countries.
But training, he stressed, needs to be realistic.
Mr Teo said: "If you don't do it as realistically as possible, you are actually doing a disservice to the soldiers, sailors and airmen, because when they need to perform their operational duties, they are not ready. But at the same time you will have to do it safely."
On countries in the region investing and re-capitalising their armed forces, Mr Teo said by doing so they are also contributing to the wider regional security requirements and cooperating in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Singapore is also modernising its army and is expecting the delivery of its first new F15-SG fighter jets this year.
And it is already looking into the next generation of aircraft.
Mr Teo said: "You will know that we have put some seed money down to be a minor partner in the Joint Strike Fighter programme of the US. That would be a major programme for them to develop a modern new fighter, which will be used by the US navy, US airforce and US marines."
He said Singapore would continue to play a key role in creating a security architecture within the Asia-Pacific, and the recently-held Shangri-La Dialogue was a good example where top defence experts and leaders from more than 20 countries come together to exchange views of immediate concern like disaster relief.
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