\n<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE \u2013 Although artificial intelligence (AI) can automate tasks and accelerate decision-making in defence<\/span><\/a>, there must still be a \u201cman in the loop\u201d, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing at a dialogue organised by The Straits Times.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many things that AI can do. It can help us to speed up the process through which we interpret information, acquire targets, select the weapon system to get the target effects \u2013 all that is part of automation,\u201d he said at the inaugural edition of The ST Forum dialogue on June 24.<\/p>\n But Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, said people must remain part of the equation in every military operation.<\/p>\n \u201cIt cannot be so autonomous, whereby you just take decisions, and you don\u2019t know what you are hitting.\u201d<\/p>\n Cautioning against an overreliance on the technology, he said keeping people involved is necessary to prevent a \u201cdereliction of duty… to an algorithm that you do not understand\u201d.<\/p>\n While acquiring top-tier equipment remains vital, hardware alone does not guarantee mission success, he said, citing the vigilance, training and commitment of Singapore\u2019s service personnel as the ultimate deciding factors.<\/p>\n He made these remarks at a wide-ranging dialogue centred on national service (NS) and defence, taking questions from 25 people from all walks of life, many of them contributors to the ST Forum page.<\/p>\n The discussion ranged from the use of technology and AI to defence spending and inclusivity.<\/p>\n These topics were chosen in the light of recent global conflicts, and ahead of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day on July 1.<\/p>\n Chan said the SAF\u2019s approach to technology has never been to buy the most advanced or \u201cshiniest\u201d equipment, but to invest in tools that complement its manpower.<\/p>\n Even though Singapore\u2019s total fertility rate (TFR) sank to a record low of 0.87<\/span><\/a> in 2025, the conscription-based nature of the armed forces gives the SAF an 18-year head start in preparing for each batch of new recruits.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must cut our coat according to our cloth,\u201d he said, stressing the need to plan, including by procuring the necessary equipment years ahead.<\/p>\n The SAF adopts an approach that factors in an equipment\u2019s entire lifecycle, ensuring that it can continue maintaining its systems if supply chains are disrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cOur duty in the defence sector is always to make (the) best use of what is available to us, to build for the long term.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will spend what we need to defend ourselves,\u201d said Chan.<\/p>\n The minister said talent is at the heart of building a credible defence force.<\/p>\n He also reiterated that since Singapore\u2019s founding, the Government has maintained a commitment to spend up to 6 per cent of gross domestic product on defence.<\/p>\n This ceiling has not been reached in recent years, with defence spending hovering around 3 per cent<\/span><\/a> in the last few years.<\/p>\n Addressing concerns that the TFR poses an existential threat to national defence, Chan acknowledged that it is a perennial challenge, but noted that technological advances and a more diverse society have created more opportunities for the public to contribute to the country\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n He highlighted that beyond the core force of 50,000 high-readiness personnel and 250,000 operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen), the SAF can tap a much wider network.<\/p>\n