Totally understand where you're coming from. You do bring up
valid points of concern.
However, my opinion is that majority of Singaporeans (non-milnuts)
don't really care to know if our "2nd hand tanks" are modern or
not. Nor do they even understand the difference between an AMX-13
SM1 light tank and a Leopard2A4 MBT. For these people, who don't
care to know, its already a bonus that they are informed that their
money is used to buy military hardware regardless of their source
being Mr Brown or Straits Times.
For those who naively believe that the RSAF bought 30 year old
warplanes, and WW2 tanks to replace the SM1, they will realise
their mistakes someday, perhaps thru an embarrassing discussion
with one of us milnuts.
If the people in charge of procurement feel disrespected, offended
by how Mr Brown has portrayed them, then they should be more open
with regards to procurement plans (within limitations of course).
The problem is that people don't know how the procurement process
works, and Mindef doesn't want to talk about it. SO when signed and
sealed deal like the Leopard2 purchase suddenly popped up, people
don't understand and speculate lor.
From the podcast, Mr Brown probably doesn't have a clue how
procurement works, and since Mindef/Govt can't be bothered to
explain either, theres really no one to blame for the speculation
and belief that SAF likes to buy cheapo-2nd hand equipment. You
have to admit, on the surface, that IS what it looks like. Not
everyone will delve into subject matters like this, certainly not
the average singaporean, certainly not Mr Brown.
Chill out and just watch the people make a fool of themselves.
=)
