TAKING RSAF INTO THE FUTURE

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Meng gives an update on the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) continuing transformation efforts and his thoughts on developing a world-class team.

Even as the RSAF continues to refresh its hardware as part of the planned 3rd Generation transformation, most recently with the announced acquisition of the Surface-to-air PYthon-5 and DERby-Short Range (SPYDER-SR) Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) system and the Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Air Force will continue to focus on developing its airmen and women for the future.

MG Ng expressed this and his views on a broad array of issues concerning the Air Force today, in an interview with the media on 23 May.

"The RSAF, just like the rest of Singapore, has to find new ways to be more productive... To do that, the RSAF needs to be flexible and nimble enough to take in new ideas and redesign things in order to do better," said MG Ng.

"Ultimately, the RSAF remains ready to defend Singapore's skies because that is the core mission given to us by the nation."

Transformation successes

"The 3rd Generation transformation has been going well. We have completed our structural reorganisation with the set-up of the six Commands. This was a very important step which has enabled the Air Force to better meet mission demands, given the complex security environment that we face today.

In terms of platform capabilities, we have successfully inducted the Gulfstream-550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft and the F-15SG fighter aircraft into the RSAF. With their state-of-the-art technologies, they have increased the reach and punch of the RSAF in fulfilling our mission requirements.

On the intelligence front, the Hermes 450 and Heron 1 UAVs will meet the intelligence needs of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in the years ahead with their improved endurance and surveillance systems.

In the maritime domain, the RSAF has operationalised the Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters. This has added a new dimension and capability in defending our waters and has enabled the Navy to extend its reach and surveillance capabilities.

In short, the RSAF has sharpened our capabilities... And we continue to stand ready to respond at a moment's notice.

Looking ahead, the RSAF will be refreshing our ageing GBAD systems over the next five years or so. The SPYDER-SR will replace the Rapier system which is about 30 years old.

The SPYDER-SR will not simply replace the Rapier. It also brings added dimensions to our existing capabilities. The new system not only enables the RSAF to target traditional aircraft platforms, but also expands our capabilities to include dealing with precision-guided munitions."

Adaptive force

"If you survey other armed forces, what we are doing in terms of integration is quite unique. For example, the RSAF flies the S-70B naval helicopter to serve the Navy's requirements.

Very few armed forces have actually managed to do this. In most cases, each Service will have their own dedicated units to fulfil their requirements such as navies having their own air arms, and the army having their own helicopters.

Over time, and partly because of our geostrategic constraints, we have put together an efficient and effective way of organising our forces. What we have today is an integrated SAF which works together to meet the country's security needs."

Transforming training

"We are in the advanced stages of transformation where pilot training is concerned. New training platforms such as the PC-21 and the newly-acquired M-346 training aircraft will allow us to better train pilots in terms of cost, time and quality.

The next few years will see us increase our focus on developing our people better. To this end, we will pay particular attention to our continuous effort to transform our training systems.

For example, experiential learning and role-playing starts much earlier for pilot trainees today as compared to 25 years ago when I just joined the Air Force and this is quite a significant improvement.

In the PC-21 trainer aircraft, we have employed new technologies to simulate a radar environment on the aircraft without the aircraft actually having a radar.

The two trainer aircraft bring training to another level of realism and allow our pilot trainees to experience something which is closer to their eventual operational experience when they are posted to the squadrons.

We are also exploring advanced maintenance simulators to improve the efficacy of our training.

Over the next five years or so, we will complete the transformation with the necessary structure and concepts, as well as capabilities in terms of hardware and people who are really world-class."

Nuturing our people

"Besides transforming the way we train, we have also looked carefully at how we can best nurture our people.

To do this, we have put together a comprehensive framework under what we call Project Cardinal, which has strengthened our drive to produce world-class people over the last five years or so and into the future.

This framework aims to produce personnel who are professionally competent, anchored on core values, and committed to the organisation. We do this by focusing on developing professionals, realising the potential of our people and engaging their hearts.

As we move ahead, we will also look at ways to infuse Cardinal into our daily activities, and provide our people with learning opportunities to lead and manage our people better.

As you well know, we have also redesigned our career schemes to meet the needs of our officers, military experts and warrant officers.

Our servicemen today have opportunities to upgrade themselves, even in the course of their career.

For example, they can do so by either going through military courses that are accredited to established universities or...take time off to do full-time or part-time academic courses to upgrade themselves.

We do all this to develop our people holistically, so that we not only build a strong and competent workforce, but also provide them with positive work experiences, and help them realise their potential and aspirations while they are serving Singapore.

The RSAF endeavours to create an environment where our people will have a sense of fulfilment as they serve."

"I have no doubt in my mind that the strength of our Air Force is in the quality of our people, and the dedication and commitment which they display each day towards serving the country."

- MG Ng Chee Meng