According to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, a new fourth arm of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would act as the front-line force in the digital realm to identify, mitigate, and repel any prospective aggressors seeking to threaten Singapore.
There are cyber threats that have "the most destructive aim and attempt to undermine our nation's sovereignty or security," he told Parliament on Tuesday, noting that cyber threats occur daily by the hundreds and even millions (Aug 2).
He spoke during a discussion on a later-passed Bill that opens the path for the establishment of the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of this year.
Dr. Ng stated, "The SAF has asked itself this simple question, just as it would if the threat came from the air, land, or sea: How does it detect, mitigate, or repel any potential aggressor - an orchestrated cyber attack by state and non-state actors - who intends to cause harm to Singapore and Singaporeans?"
The solution is a specialized service to recruit, train, and maintain cybertroops and capabilities to protect the digital frontiers of the Republic, he added, characterizing the DIS as "the front line force" in the digital realm.
He provided instances of recent cyber assaults on key infrastructure from across the world, including one in the United States that resulted in at least two weeks of gas supplies being cut off to numerous states on the south and east coasts.
Despite the fact that intelligence agencies have identified no concerted operation against Singapore in the digital arena, it would be sensible to develop the fourth service immediately, he stated.
This alone would serve as sufficient deterrence.
In addition to modifying the SAF Act to legally establish the DIS as the fourth military service, there were other disciplinary and administrative modifications, as well as Constitutional revisions.
They authorize the DIS head to serve as a member of the Armed Forces Council, to have the legal authority to carry out his responsibilities, and to command the DIS in times of combat.
Similarly to the Chief of Defense Force and other service chiefs, the proposed modifications designate the DIS director as a presidential appointee.
During the debate on the DIS, which included talent recruiting and retention, possible collaboration with other government agencies, and how disputes in the digital realm would be characterized, more than ten members of parliament spoke.
Mr. Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) inquired if DIS recruits must also undertake the same sort of training as other troops, such as physical fitness exams, and if so, whether this would result in the loss of individuals with appropriate competence but not other military abilities.
What is the future of the Digital and Intelligence Service for the SAF?
In response, Dr. Ng stated that the formation of the DIS was motivated by the need for talent and a "mission attitude."
Creating an official fourth service on par with the army, navy, and air force is the best way for the DIS to attract the necessary personnel, he added.
"It gives their new entrants and existing employees with comparable career pathways and advancements to the army, navy, and air force, including those with the aptitude to become Chief of Service or perhaps Chief of Defence Force."
Dr. Ng stated that the command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) community, in its current shape, is a supporting force comparable to combat support, logistics, and maintenance.
It will continue to provide the three services and SAF with actionable intelligence in a timely manner and guarantee that communications are secure for plan execution.
"However, given that the DIS is a statutory service, it is now directly liable for protecting the cyber realm from external aggressors.
"As cyber fighters, they are on the front lines. This mental change is critical for the SAF as it constructs the DIS, according to Dr. Ng.
In contrast to a civilian leader, the DIS need "a military man in uniform with a military attitude," he explained.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill was approved with 75 in favor, eight against, and no abstentions. This passed the 63-vote threshold necessary for constitutional amendments.
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