Personally, I have absolutely no interest in fighting a
war.
However, i've given it enough thought to realise that should
Singapore go to war, the option of 'running away', which most of us
take for granted, barely exists.
let's hypothesize.
option 1: FLYING OUT
For the ignorant, airports are key strategic installations that
are usually very very high up on the target list for obvious
reasons (go figure). Should a war break out, its very likely that
changi airport will be one of the first places to be obliterated by
enemy airstrikes or shellfire. Even if the airport is miraculously
spared complete destruction, foreign airlines would be the first to
fly the hell away, evacuating their own citizens, NOT desperate
Singaporeans. Local airlines would clearly be grounded because SIA
= government, and the government is never going to let AWOL SAF
personnel fly off on its krisflyer+inflight entertainment+singapore
girl aircraft. Those planes which are not grounded will be flying
politicians, diplomats and the ultra rich out of the area. So
unless you're a cabinet minister, or you have $100million to throw
at the pilot, you wont be going anywhere. Even if, by some amazing
stroke of luck, you manage to build an airplane out of cardboard
and take off from the top of your HDB block, I'm quite sure your
plane will be shot down because there's no way out of Singapore
without crossing Malaysian or Indonesian airspace. And everyone
knows that should Singapore go to war, it would probably be with
those two countries.
That said, , I dont think anyone will be flying out of the
country except the occasional hero who plans on infiltrating
paya lebar or tengah airbase, hijacking a fighter jet, and learning
to fly it instantly.
option 2: SAILING OUT
In wartime, the seas will probably be blockaded by the
navy to prevent any amphibious invasion of the island. Civillian
vessels will probably be used by the navy for logistical purposes
eg. transport or hospital ships. Ship owners and crews would be the
first to sail away if they hear of a war. And I really doubt the
ability of an average person to swim to australia, india or
thailand. Perhaps some might be innovative, and decide to row a
bathtub. But I dont think the bathtub will be getting very far in
the indian ocean or south china sea.
option 3: DRIVING/WALKING OUT
Most feasible option. Just walk/drive straight into the heart of
enemy territory. Self explanatory.
