Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore

Another great read which i neglected to write about, and with the passage of time I seem to have forgotten many details.

What I do recall is that the writer did some really comprehensive research into the SAF, and the reader gets a firm appreciation of how small the armed forces were at the point of independence. While it is common knowledge that we had two infantry battalions then, I only found out from the book that many soldiers within the ranks were Malaysians, so our own army was really nothing much to write about.

Hence we get to better understand the needs of conscription, and also in building up our NCOs and officers within the ranks. While we may get criticized for enlisting Israeli aid in building up our army, the reader also gets to know that it was not as if we went out seeking for Israeli expertise. It was through a selection, and other countries were considered as well - with the Swiss telling us that there was no need for an army.

Many other interesting details in the books, such as on-off sweet/sour relations with our neighbours, and that at the point of writing, Singapore was able to call upon a larger fighting force than them as well!

I also get a better understanding of how in other countries, the armed forces plays an internal security role, while this is not so in Singapore. In addition, the Singapore situation is unique, in that the political leaders keep a firm grasp on the army, to prevent power from falling into out-sider hands ;)