engineering land systems

103 Pages·2016·5.32 MB·English

ENGINEERING
LAND SYSTEMS
“DTC IS THE
SECRET-EDGE
WEAPON OF
THE SAF”
DR NG ENG HEN
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
IIThe opinions and views expressed in this work are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Ministry of Defence
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Message
Preface
1 CHAPTER 1 : The Beginnings of Defence Logistics and Engineering
21 CHAPTER 2 : Development of Armament
45 CHAPTER 3 : Development of 155mm Artillery
57 CHAPTER 4 : Development of Armoured Fighting Vehicles
82 CHAPTER 5 : Exploratory Development of Autonomous and
Remotely Operated Vehicle
101 CHAPTER 6 : Innovation in Command, Control,
Communications and Computers Systems
122 CHAPTER 7 : Defence Construction and Passive Defence
141 CHAPTER 8 : Rock Caverns for Ammunition Facility
171 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
178 GLOSSARY
183 INDEX
FOREWORD
The journey of Singapore’s Defence engineers and scientists stands at the frontier The stories that are told in this book
Technology Community (DTC) parallels of technological progress. Indeed the DTC is series chronicles should lift the spirits of
that of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) the secret-edge weapon of the SAF. Singaporeans, old and young. They celebrate
– indeed both were co-dependent and what pioneers and successive generations of
iterative processes which fed off As the DTC celebrates its 50th anniversary, committed scientists and engineers have
each other’s success. Pioneers in both we want to thank especially its pioneers accomplished over the years. But they also
communities recognised very early on the who were committed to achieve the give hope to our future, as they will serve as
stark limitations of a small island with no unthinkable and were not daunted by severe reminders during difficult times to overcome
geographical depth and limited manpower. challenges along the way. Their efforts and challenges and continue to keep Singapore
But despite this realisation, they were beliefs have spawned world class agencies safe and secure for many years to come.
undaunted and shared a common resolve such as DSTA and DSO, and the family of
to mitigate Singapore’s vulnerabilities Singapore Technologies (ST) companies.
and constraints, and build a credible SAF
through sheer will, commitment and the More hearteningly, the virtuous effects
harnessing of the powers of technology. In extend into mainstream society too.
Dr Goh Keng Swee’s words, “we have to Today the defence cluster of DSTA, DSO, Dr Ng Eng Hen
supplement the SAF’s manpower with new MINDEF, the SAF and ST employs the Minister for Defence
technology, as manpower constraints will largest proportion of scientists and engineers Singapore
always be there. Our dependency should in Singapore – almost one in every 12! It
be more on technology than manpower. is not an overstatement that these entities
And we must develop indigenously that have been the main receptacles to maintain
technological edge.” As worthy and the science and technology capabilities in
important as these ideals were, it was an our nation, providing life-long careers in the
arduous journey for the DTC. With poor process.
standards of general education, let alone
engineers or scientists, how could Singapore Beyond defence, the DTC has also positively
develop such capabilities? impacted our society in a variety of ways: in
producing mass thermal scanners to combat
This book series chronicles the last 50 years the 2003 SARS outbreak, in designing and
of that ascent that begun in 1966. The DTC building the iconic Marina Bay Floating
has indeed come a long way from its humble Platform to host the National Day Parades and
beginnings and with it, a transformation sports events, in breaking new ground and
of the SAF’s capabilities. Today, both old mindsets when we built the underground
the SAF and the DTC are respected storage for munitions, in forming the nucleus
professional bodies and the requests from to start the MRO (maintenance, repair and
advanced economies to collaborate reflect overhaul) industries to service airlines in
the standards which we have achieved. Singapore and globally.
Our closely-knit community of defence
ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS
MESSAGE
The Defence Technology Community (DTC) • The integration of the RSN’s missile renowned R&D partners locally and around
has steadily evolved over the last 50 years. We gunboats and missile corvettes which the world, I am confident that the DTC will
started off as a small, three-man technical built up the DTC’s confidence to move remain steadfast in delivering the critical
department in the Logistics Division in 1966 on to specify and acquire best of breed technologies and innovative solutions for
supporting defence equipment procurement systems to integrate into new ships like the SAF and the nation. May the stories in
and there was much work to be done. The the frigates. It also laid the foundations these books inspire our current and future
Army then was largely equipped with for ST Engineering’s capabilities to design defence engineers and scientists to continue
second-hand vehicles and surplus equipment and build ships for the RSN and some to push boundaries and think creatively to
left by the British. The Republic of other navies. deliver capabilities that will safeguard our
Singapore Navy (RSN) had two boats, one • The conversion of old US Navy’s A-4 sovereignty for the years to come.
steel and the other wooden. Recognising the Skyhawk aircraft into the A-4SU Super
need to overcome the immutable challenges Skyhawk for the Republic of Singapore
of geography and resource constraints Air Force, building up ST Engineering’s
facing Singapore, we extended our scope to capabilities to undertake further aircraft
include conceptualisation, development and upgrades such as for the F-5E Tiger fighter
upgrade of defence systems. These efforts aircraft, and to undertake servicing and Mr Ng Chee Khern
leverage the force multiplying effects of repair of commercial aircraft. Permanent Secretary (Defence Development)
technology to meet the unique challenges • The system-of-systems integration Ministry of Defence, Singapore
and operational requirements of the Singapore efforts to evolve the island air defence
Armed Forces (SAF), beyond what could be system, building on legacy systems left
had buying off-the-shelf. by the British to seamlessly incorporate
new weapons, sensors, and indigenously
This four-book “Engineering Singapore’s developed command and control systems
Defence – The Early Years” series covers the to extend the range and coverage of
entire spectrum of the DTC’s work in the Singapore’s air defence umbrella, and
land, air and sea domains to deliver cutting- the build-up of the DTC as a system-of-
edge technological capabilities to the SAF. systems to deliver cutting-edge capabilities
It chronicles our 50-year journey and and systems to the SAF, and to meet the
documents the largely unheard stories of technology requirements of the nation.
our people – their challenges, struggles and
triumphs, their resolve and ingenuity, and While not exhaustive, these stories provide
their persistence in overcoming the odds. us with a glimpse of the “dare-to-do” and
These stories include: enterprising spirit that our DTC personnel
and forerunners possess.
• The upgrading of the French-made
AMX-13 light tank to the AMX-13 SM1 There is no end to change and transformation.
configuration by the DTC, the Army and Singapore and the SAF will continue to face
ST Engineering, laying the foundation for many challenges in the years ahead. However,
the design, engineering and production of with the capabilities and expertise developed
the Bionix, Bronco and Terrex armoured over the years in its more than 5,000-strong
fighting vehicles for the Army. personnel, and its established linkages with
ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS
PREFACE
provided by tenderers were major tasks Chapter 3 describes the development of of fighting units in the Army from the early
for each purchase. Acceptance tests were 155mm artillery, the backbone of the days of line and wireless communication
conducted to ensure the materials supplied firepower of our Army. Engineers in Ministry devices, to the digital command, control,
were in accordance with the specifications of Defence (MINDEF), CIS and Ordnance communications and computers system-of-
before the various logistics bases would take Development and Engineering of Singapore systems.
them into inventory for issue to the units. (ODE), after one decade of experience in the
development and production of armament Chapter 7 is an account of the technical
Chapter 1 is an account of the development for the SAF, were ready to make a major challenges in the planning, design and
of technical capability in the Logistics leap into the development and production of engineering of operational infrastructure
Division which began with the testing and 155mm howitzers. They had the confidence facilities for the SAF. The capability to design,
evaluation of equipment and stores for the of developing 155mm howitzers that would test and evaluate, and construct passive
training schools located in Singapore Armed best meet the needs of the Army and at a total protection measures was also used to support
Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) and the life cycle cost lower than that produced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the planning
first two National Service (NS) battalions. established armament manufacturers from and design of Civil Defence Shelters for the
The planned development of the SAF and overseas. protection of our civilian population from
MID was disrupted by the decision of the weapon effects.
UK Government to withdraw all troops from Chapter 4 is an external view by a very
Singapore by 1971. We had three years to respected expert on military matters and land Chapter 8 is the last chapter of this book on
build an army, air force and navy and the warfare on the growth of the engineering and the creation of underground space in rock
logistics and engineering organisations for development capability of armoured fighting caverns for the storage of ammunition in
their support. Graduates in engineering and vehicles for our Army. the SAF’s Underground Ammunition Facility
Critical to the build-up of the Singapore science enlisted into NS were tasked with the (UAF) at Mandai. The chapter shows the
Armed Forces (SAF) was logistics. Equipment responsibility to provide technical support Chapter 5 is a contribution from key life cycle approach in the planning, from
and stores needed for training had to be for the rapid development of the three arms members of the research and development conception to operation, technology
purchased and issued to units before training of the SAF. team of Singapore’s first driverless vehicle, development through computer simulation
could begin. The trainees would need to be a M113 armoured personnel carrier named model, small-scale testing and large-scale
clothed in uniforms and equipped with their Chapter 2 describes the development of Ulysses by the project team. The principal testing and collaboration with the best
personal equipment, housed in barracks, technical capabilities in our defence industries investigator was from the Singapore Institute engineers in the world in the development
provided with their personal weapons and to provide armament for the SAF. The of Manufacturing Technology (SimTech) and operation of ammunition facilities. This
transportation, and most importantly be fed strategy of integrated armament development and members of the project team included project was groundbreaking as it showed
four to five times each day to prepare for the would provide the SAF with operational engineers from the Defence Science and that Singapore could more than double the
vigorous training. The Logistics Division in capabilities greater than those that could be Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Kinetics. amount of usable space with the development
the Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID) purchased from overseas. The clear focus on This chapter shows the daring of engineers to of underground rock caverns.
carried out this task with officers recruited engineering and the development of leading increase the combat capability of our future
as Short Service Commission Officers. They edge armament, tempered with the need armoured fighting vehicles through automation,
learnt about logistics by doing. Tenders for the for economic viability, drove the growth of information, precision and integration.
supply of equipment and stores were called our defence industries. Personal accounts by
each day, and contracts and procurement orders former engineers of the Chartered Industries Chapter 6 is the perspective from very
issued as soon as the completion of evaluation of Singapore (CIS) showed the courage and knowledgeable users of technology – officers Prof Lui Pao Chuen
of the offers. Preparation of specifications technical capabilities of our armament of the Signal Formation. They wrote on the Editor, Engineering Land Systems
for the procurement and testing of samples engineers. growth of the command and control capability
ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS
Chapter One Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING
THE BEGINNINGS OF
support for the SAF. Rooms at Lower Barracks introduce National Service (NS). SAFTI would
DEFENCE LOGISTICS were converted into offices for MID. The need to be expanded to accommodate the
Combined Operations Room located in Upper large number of trainees that would be called
AND ENGINEERING
Barracks at Pearl’s Hill became the operations up for NS, and found suitable to be trained
room of MID. With the staff expansion in as NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and
MID, more office space was needed. The officers.
Upper Barracks was subsequently also
This chapter serves two purposes: to provide converted into MID’s offices. The first Director of SAFTI, Lieutenant
an introduction to the subjects that will be Colonel (LTC) Kirpa Ram Vij, was a lieutenant Entrance to SAFTI, circa 1966
covered by this book, and to record some of in the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) and a
the early developments of defence science Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry On completion of the preparatory course, each
and technology in Singapore. of Finance as its Head of Organisation graduate received a hard-earned certificate from
and Methods. He was appointed LTC on Dr Goh Keng Swee himself at a graduation
At Singapore’s independence on 9th August 15th February 1966 upon the commencement ceremony on 7th May 1966. Younger officers
1965, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) was a of the preparatory course. The SPF provided like LTA Goh Lye Choon were promoted to
well-established force with a proud tradition the best field commanders they had in the rank of captain (CPT) and became platoon
in the maintenance of law and order. It had Pearl’s Hill Upper Barracks, circa 1945 service for the preparatory course. They were commanders (PC) for the first training course
6,700 Regulars, and 1,300 Guard and Escort Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) T.E. at SAFTI. There were two training companies
personnel. The SPF was also supplemented by First SAF Build-up Plan Ricketts, DSP R.A. Lawrence, DSP Richard with Major (MAJ) John Morrice in command of
some 1,200 Volunteer Special Constables. It Tay, DSP Wilfred Skinner (then goalkeeper A Company and DSP T.E. Ricketts in command
was well-organised with a command structure, The first plan for the build-up of the SAF of the national football team) and Inspector of B Company. Training of the first batch of
officers and men. Many young school-leavers prepared soon after Singapore’s independence Chin Chee Chean. Senior in age and rank recruits began on 1st July 1966 with 150 recruits
would aspire to join the SPF to be inspectors, set out the details for the organisation of MID, to the trainees, they were remembered for in each company. They were accommodated in
if they had a Higher School Certificate, the and the tasks required to raise an ORBAT their keen understanding of human nature the newly-completed wooden barracks of the
equivalent of an "A" level education. The SPF (order of battle) of 12 battalions for defence and generosity in sharing their knowledge SAFTI camp.
had a training school for basic, advanced and internal security operations. The 12 of leadership with the younger members of
and higher-level training for constables and battalions were: the preparatory course.
officers. The Senior Police Officers’ Mess
at Mount Pleasant was the institution for • seven infantry battalions Israel sent a team of five advisors to assist in
informal learning and socialising for senior • two recce battalions the preparatory course. As the camp at Pasir
police officers. The Police Reserve Units and • one engineer battalion Laba was being constructed, the base camp
the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) • one artillery battalion of the preparatory course was at Jurong Town
had also generated many police officers with • one commando battalion Primary School. Each day the trainees would
outstanding leadership qualities. ride in British-made Bedford trucks to the Pasir
Raising an Army Laba Live Firing Area for their training. COL
The SPF came under the command of the (Ret) Goh Lye Choon remembered fondly
Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID), Crucial to the success of the plan was the that Permanent Secretary for MID (PS(MID)) Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for
together with the fledging Singapore Armed availability of manpower with the qualities George Bogaars had spent much time in the Interior and Defence, and LTC Kirpa Ram Vij,
Forces (SAF). The SPF logistics units for necessary to make good commanders and field during the preparatory course. He had then Director SAFTI at the
vehicle repair, radio repair and weapons soldiers. The first task was to train a cadre also resolved problems between the Israeli opening of SAFTI, on 18th June 1967
repair became logistics bases of the SAF. of instructors for the Singapore Armed team and regular army officers who had found
They were named Vehicle Repair Base, Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) which was the training with the self-loading rifle and SAFTI was the first military camp construction
Electronics Supply and Maintenance Base, established on 14th February 1966. individual field crafts to be a repetition of project of the SAF. It was completed in a
and Weapons, Ammunition and Optics Base what they had already knew. matter of months to meet the start of the
(WAOB) respectively. By mid 1966 MID concluded that it would not first training course. The top architect of the
be possible to recruit the number of officers Public Works Department (PWD), Mr Lim
The Radio Division located in Lower Barracks and soldiers needed for the 12 battalions. The Soon Chye was assigned to be the Senior
at Pearl’s Hill provided communications government took the very difficult decision to Architect (Defence). He and his team of PWD
11 ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS 2
Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING
in battles. The mobility of infantry battalions There were four departments in the General Staff
by foot over close terrain and crossing of Division: Organisation, Training, Operations,
water obstacles without the need to build and Communications and Electronics. The
bridges and prepare flotation devices was Combat Means Committee comprising General
highly valued. Our soldiers must therefore Staff officers, Senior Specialist Staff Officers
be physically very fit and trained for long (SSSO) and Head Technical Department,
marches with full battle order. Logistics Division would recommend adoption
of operational requirements to the Director of
General Staff. As operational requirements were
critical to the acquisition of weapon systems,
a systems study would be necessary with the
use of Operations Research (OR) as a tool. OR
was developed in the United Kingdom (UK)
and US during World War II to use scientific
methodologies to solve operational problems,
Passing-Out-Parade of the 1st SAF Officer Cadet Course with 117 graduates on 16th July 1967 for example, the determination of the depth
at which depth charges should be detonated
engineers worked tirelessly to build the SAFTI to work with PWD for the construction of in the prosecution of submarines.
camp which was declared open on 18th June camps and military facilities. A fresh electrical Officers attending the Peoples’ Defence
1967 by Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for engineering graduate, Mr Wan Siew Kay, then Force Officers’ Orientation Course in 1968 A newly-graduated mechanical engineer,
Interior and Defence, about one month before serving NS, was assigned to work with him. Mr Henry Cheong, was enlisted as the staff
the Passing-Out-Parade of our first batch of Ministry of Interior and Defence officer to address force development issues like
117 SAF officers on 16th July 1967. As there were no Singaporeans experienced in the analysis of operation requirements and
raising an army, civil servants, teachers, police The first Director of General Staff was Assistant their solutions. He was the secretary of the
The National Service (Amendment) Act was officers, volunteer officers in the SVC, regular Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr Tan Teck Combat Means Committee. He was sent to
passed on 14th March 1967. The first batch of officers from 1 and 2 SIR were deployed to Khim, who later became the Commissioner UK Ministry of Defence to learn OR and spent
recruits was called up in August 1967 for NS. staff MID departments and installations. of Police. Other SPF officers who served a year learning how the British Army, Royal
Many SPF officers and Administrative Officers in MID and the SAF included Mr Michael Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF) used OR
Two new battalions, 3 and 4 SIR, would who were then in service with the former Thoo, the first Chief of Communications in the planning of their future operational
be raised with the officers and NCOs who Ministry of Home Affairs also continued their and Electronics and Mr Sahari, the first CO of capabilities. He was the first Weapon Staff
graduated from SAFTI as commanders. The service in MID. WAOB. Mr Derrick De Souza served under the Officer of the SAF.
Commanding Officer (CO) of 3 SIR was MAJ Director of Logistics and Mr Reggi Sandosham
Richard Jambu and the CO of 4 SIR was MAJ As the first Director of SAFTI, LTC Kipa Ram served in the General Staff Division. Mr Lim Logistics Division
T.E. Ricketts (seconded from the SPF). The Vij and his staff had to study all the training Choon Mong was a department head in the
camps for these two battalions were under doctrine materials that the Israeli advisors Manpower Division. Mr T.S. Zain, Assistant The Logistics Division was responsible to
construction on the reclaimed land at Bedok. had brought with them to decide which of Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Officer- clothe, equip, house and feed the constant
Despite the best efforts made by PWD, these the doctrines would be relevant to the SAF. in-Command (OC) (Office Administration flow of recruits enlisted for NS, and to support
camps could not be ready for the first intake of Warfare in large areas of the desert would & Security), looked after the whole MID. the procurement of training stores for SAFTI,
full-time National Servicemen (NSFs). Flats at not be the same as the terrain that the SAF Mr Zain rostered MID officers for duties as School of Artillery and School of Engineers.
Taman Jurong were converted into temporary would be operating in. duty staff officers. Mr Cecil Cooke and Mr Procurement was the top priority activity of
barracks to accommodate the recruits. Tan Chin Hwee served under Mr Tay Seow the Logistics Division.
There were a number of guiding principles Wah in the Security and Intelligence Division.
A parallel construction project was the that did not depend on terrain, like the value The first Director Logistics, Mr DF Collins,
conversion of the passenger, cargo and office of surprise. Operations security would be of General Staff Division and Combat was posted into MID from the Central Supply
buildings of the disused Kallang Airport into critical importance to achieve surprise at the Means Committee Office to lead the procurement of equipment
the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) for the strategic, operational and tactical levels. The and stores for the SAF. It was a mad rush
processing of NS enlistees. MAJ Tan Hup appearance of an SAF force in an area that the The General Staff Division was responsible for to purchase all the materials that would be
Seng was the officer in the Logistics Division enemy was not prepared for would be decisive planning, force development and operations. required for training to begin on 1st July 1966
33 ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS 4
Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING
at SAFTI. Dr Goh Keng Swee had directed The writing of tender specifications for the Though feeding of the troops in the field was carried out over a period of four months
that the training must commence as scheduled procurement of equipment and supplies for the was very important, feeding “A”, “B” and with 10 teams. Each team consisted of four
and to sort out the logistics and manpower Army was the responsibility of the Test and “C”1 vehicles with fuel and weapons with officers and 12 other ranks.
problems along the way. Evaluation Section of the Logistics Division. ammunition were equally important.
This section also had the responsibility to test Equipment would also break down in the The data collected from the inspections was
Dr Goh Keng Swee had set out very clearly and evaluate samples submitted in the tender, field, which required field maintenance. Quick of great assistance to the managers of the
the division of responsibilities between and to accept deliveries into the logistics repairs of minor battlefield damages would inventory control system and maintenance
the SAF, MID and Chartered Industries of bases. The name of the section was soon help in the recovery of a unit’s operational system of the SAF.
Singapore (CIS) in the development of our changed to Test, Evaluation and Acceptance capability after a hard-fought battle.
defence capability. The SAF would plan, train (TEA) Section to reflect the function it had
and operate the armed forces. MID would to perform to inspect and accept all stores Field logistics was thus planned as an
be responsible for manpower, logistics and and equipment purchased by the Logistics important operation to sustain the operational
finance. CIS would produce ammunition and Division for the SAF. capability of SAF units and as a force multiplier.
weapons for the armed forces. Engineers and technicians contributed directly
Actuation Department to the fighting capability of the SAF through
Mr Ong Kah Kok, who was the first field logistics.
Director of People’s Association, was posted The most powerful man in the Logistics
to MID in early 1966 and reported directly Division next to Director Logistics was COL Actuation Department evolved into G4 Army
to Dr Goh Keng Swee to implement special Minjoot, Head of Actuation Department. He and eventually became a department of the
projects. The special project that had the held the highest rank of colonel in the Volunteer General Staff in 1975. Christmas eve party of the
highest priority was the organisation of our Corps and was highly regarded by all. He Technical Department to mark a very busy
first National Day Parade on 9th August 1966. commanded all the SAF logistics bases and Inspectorate Branch, Organisation year supporting the acquisition of
There was no precedence in the organisation units, and had complete authority to decide and Control Department weapons and materials for the SAF, 1969
of such a large event in Singapore. Mr Ong on the priority of allocation of equipment,
Kah Kok had to draw on all his connections supplies, transport and maintenance services. The Logistics Division also had the New Force Build-up Plan after
in the Public Service and MID to pull off the He was the SAF’s first G4 Army. He was responsibility to ensure that the equipment the Announcement of UK Troop
event. In June 1966, He succeeded Mr D.F. very well supported by an adoring staff, LTA would be operated and maintained in Withdrawal by 1971
Collins as Director Logistics and remained Hamid Khan, who was known by everyone accordance with the procedures spelt out
in that appointment until December 1973. in the SAF as the man to turn to for supplies, in the technical manuals. As this function After 3 and 4 SIR were raised in September
During his tenure he was the man behind from “Herbert Johnson” peak caps to jungle was important, the Inspectorate Branch was 1967, there was a perceptible sigh of relief
all the contracts signed for the procurement boots. established in the Organisation and Control in MID. Life could not be worse than the
of equipment for the SAF. Department. The TEA Section became a crazy times that MID had gone through in
“The person I remembered most is LTA Hamid section of this new branch. the previous 12 months to build training
The procurement process would begin with an Khan. Being an experienced quartermaster, he was schools, train officers and buy equipment
SSSO of the General Staff Division providing able to control the requisitions from the various units’ By early 1969 there was a nagging concern for the Army. This calm was just before the
a statement of stores and equipment needed quartermasters lining up each morning to request that the logistics administration in the SAF storm which struck us in January 1968.
for new units that would be raised. The for stores. He was also very resourceful, able to beg, units could be better managed. There had been
Logistics Division would prepare the scale borrow, or mobilise equipment when needed urgently no systematic stock-check to verify that all On 15th January 1968, the UK Government
of equipping and tables of entitlement for for parades or ceremonies. He was the man COL stores were properly accounted for. To prevent announced that all its forces would withdraw
each unit. The provisioning staff would then Minjoot relied on when in tight situation. I recall stores from being moved between storehouses from Singapore by December 1971. There
consolidate the requirement for each item and that LTA Hamid Khan was the first WO1 to be during inspection to cover shortfalls, all units was less than four years to build the SAF to
prepare a requisition list with the quantity promoted to Second Lieutenant.” in the same area would be inspected at the deal with threats from the land, air and sea.
for tendering. The tender document would same time. There were seven major units like Two infantry battalions had just been formed
include the description or specifications of - LTA Seow Tiang Keng, an engineering SAFTI and logistics bases, 13 battalion size and the support arms, Artillery, Engineers
the items to be supplied. The equipment for graduate who had served as the 2IC in the units and nine minor units. The inspection and Signals, had just started. Effort to raise
training aids proved to be the most difficult TEA Section. two recce battalions was still being planned.
to purchase as most of the items needed had 1 Standard terms used in the SAF. “A” and “B” vehicles refer to
armoured vehicles and soft-skinned vehicles respectively. “C”
to be designed and then manufactured. assets refer to engineering plants.
5 ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS 6
Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFENCE LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING
The basic premise in the plan for the planning and development of the land, air new weapon systems to be acquired for the morale problem as the graduates serving
development of the SAF was that the British and sea forces. proposed ORBAT required plenty of money, full-time were only paid NS allowance and
would not withdraw its forces before 1975. The technical manpower and training space for served in appointments that they did not
plan for the SAF’s ORBAT development There was an urgent need to establish an Air the armoured brigade and the air forces. think would enhance their careers.
would begin with land forces, followed by Staff and a Naval Staff to plan and drive the
air and naval forces. Air defence would be force development in these two domains. The budget for defence rose to around 6% of
provided by the RAF with their Lightning The concept of the SAF as one single service the GDP. Hundreds of engineers and technical
supersonic interceptors at Tengah, the Air would require the Air Staff and Naval Staff officers, and thousands of technicians were
Defence Radar Unit at Bukit Gombak, and to come under the General Staff Division needed. The training of technicians paralleled
the squadron of Bloodhound surface-to-air in MID. The first task for the General Staff the training of SAF combat vocationalists.
missile systems at Seletar. Division was the preparation of a new plan An institute for the training of technicians,
for the development of the new ORBAT. the SAF Technical School (SAFTECH), was
To allay our fear of not having an air defence established at Seletar Air Base. Mr Foo Kok
umbrella, the UK agreed to provide the Strengthening Technical Capability Swee was appointed Director of SAFTECH
following assistance: in MID and Commander of Seletar Air Base, and
given the rank of LTC.
• Transfer the Air Defence Radar Unit The Logistics Division needed to be
and Bloodhound surface-to-air missile strengthened with additional staff in each of As the delivery lead-time for major equipment
squadron to Singapore the departments and logistic bases. A new would take more than 24 months after order,
• Sell Rapier to Singapore, if asked department, the Technical Department, the build-up plan required early decisions,
• Sell Hunter Mark 6 fighter aircraft to was established in July 1968 as the fourth within two years from 1968, for major
Singapore after 1970 department to lead in the procurement of ORBAT equipment like:
• Train Singaporean fighter pilots complex weapon systems like tanks, fighter
• Turn over RAF airfields to Singapore by 1972 aircraft and combat ships, and to develop the • Fighter aircraft
engineering and logistics support for training • Surface-to-air missiles
The 12-battalion ORBAT of the SAF was and operations. The mission of the Technical • Anti-aircraft artillery
being raised as fast as manpower resources Department was to provide technical support • Helicopters
were made available. Mechanisation was in the purchase of equipment, prescribe • Armoured personnel carriers
needed to increase the capability of the SAF. specifications and standards for their • 155mm artillery
This could be done with the building of maintenance after introduction into service. • Communication equipment and systems
one armoured brigade with the manpower • Missile gun boats
resources that had been planned for the The staff of the Inspectorate Branch and
two recce battalions, and to convert one TEA Section formed the core of Technical The Manpower Division had the hardest
active and one reserve infantry battalion Department. The technical staff of seven task of recruiting staff with relevant working
into two armoured infantry battalions. The comprised, a Physics graduate CPT Lui Pao experience from the private sector as SSC
range of the 120mm mortar would not be Chuen, a Chemistry graduate LTA Chye officers to lead the young officers that would
sufficient to support the armoured brigade and Wee Seng and an Engineering graduate LTA be available through NS. As all university
howitzers would be needed for the artillery Seow Tiang Keng, and four second lieutenants graduates and newly employed officers in the
battalions. Signal battalions with longer-range (2LTs) from the first batch of Service Officer’s Civil Service were liable for NS, MID had the
communication capability would be needed Course. entire cohort of university graduates deployed
for the new SAF ORBAT. Field logistics units to staff MID and SAF units.
would be needed to sustain the combat units The second Service Officer’s Course was
in the field. completed in January 1969. Six engineers As SAFTI was already operating at maximum
joined the department. capacity, it could not train all available
The organisation and establishment of MID graduates to be officers. Some graduates
was based on the plan to raise an ORBAT of The head count went up to 13 officers and would be serving their NS part time in the
12 battalions and logistics bases. However, 16 other ranks. The 13 officers also served in PDF and the SPF, and some were not even
it was grossly inadequate in supporting the the Inspectorate Branch concurrently. The called up for NS. This created an enormous
7 ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS 8