ABSTRACT
Singapore’s Navy started as the ‘third man’ in the defensive measures planned by the newly formed Republic between 1965 and 1967, to ensure the tiny island state’s integrity. Its growth since 1980 has, however, reflected Singapore’s increasing concern for protection of the shipping flowing in and out of the country and through maritime South-East Asia as a whole. From a purely coast defence and sovereignty protection service, the RSN has moved on to claim a trade protection role, which it is becoming increasingly capable of executing. The process has not been without cost. Apart from the budgetary element, Singapore has to balance its perceived military requirements against the concerns of neighbours, particularly Malaysia, which might object to an overly strong Singaporean navy. Clearly, however, the RSN is taking the lead in setting the directions in which the navies of South-East Asia are likely to move. Particular emphasis is placed on security of its maritime domain, ASW and submarine warfare, MCM, command and control and on integration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF ) and with other government agencies.
