Singapore Armed Forces - History

History

Singapore's military role stems from its strategic geographical location, an asset exploited by both local settlers and foreign colonists alike. Archaeological excavations have discovered remnants of fortresses and other forms of military fortifications in pre-colonial Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore, selected Singapore in 1819 to establish a new colony with the security concerns of the British in the Far East in mind against the Dutch. Thus, Singapore played an active role in British military interests for decades, particularly in the years leading up to the First and Second World War.

The Singapore Armed Forces has its humble origin in the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF, formed in 1922), which in turn had its roots in the Singapore Volunteer Artillery (SVA, formed in 1888). The Motto of the SVA is "In Oriente Primus" (Latin: First in the East), which is still in use today by the artillery formations of the Singapore Army. In 1915 it helped to suppress the mutiny of the Sepoys in Singapore.

During World War II, the SSVF took part in the Battle of Singapore but most of its members were captured on 15 February 1942 when their positions were overrun by Japanese forces. After the end of the war, the SSVF was re-constituted in 1948, but the SVF was absorbed into the Singapore Military Forces (SMF, predecessor of the SAF) following the disbandment of the SSVF in 1954. Subsequently in 1961, SMF was renamed to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

When Singapore achieved independence in 1965, its military consisted of only two infantry regiments, commanded by British officers and made up of mostly non-Singaporean residents. Singapore believed that it needed a larger force, with the presence of larger neighbouring countries. To that end, Singapore secretly contacted Israel, which sent military advisers who helped Singapore set up a defence force modelled in part after the Israel Defense Forces. Tactics such as jungle warfare were studied so that the Singaporean army could fight in neighbouring countries, if need be. The army obtained tanks from Israel before neighbouring Malaysia had tanks, and became a highly effective force.

On independence, Singapore had two infantry regiments commanded by British officers. This was considered too small to provide effective security to the newly established republic, so the development of the military became a priority. Britain pulled its military out of Singapore in October 1971, leaving behind only a small amount of British, Australian and New Zealand forces as a token military presence. The last of the British soldiers left Singapore in March 1976. The New Zealand troops were the last to leave Singapore, in 1989.

Singapore Armed Forces Day is commemorated by the SAF every 1st of July with an annual parade held in the Padang.