The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will increase investments in unmanned technology, drawing lessons from recent global conflicts, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on Feb. 3.
The initiative includes two new centres to integrate unmanned vehicles in the air force and army, a new group focused on counter-drone capabilities, and new commands to protect Singapore’s digital infrastructure.
During a budget debate, Dr. Ng highlighted the growing role of drones in modern warfare. He cited a study from the Kyiv School of Economics, revealing Ukraine’s ability to produce four million drones annually, a massive increase since its war with Russia.
Dr. Ng also referenced an incident where Houthi fighters fired drones at US warships in Yemen, emphasizing the cost disparity: $15 million for 100 drones versus $250 million to defend against them, underscoring the need for cost-effective countermeasures.
The SAF will establish a Counter-UAS Development and Operations group to build solutions for detecting and neutralizing smaller drones, working alongside other agencies to safeguard Singapore from unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats.
