Somehow as a NSman, I always wonder how effective is our
training. But I guess it's such compliments from outsiders(see
below) that we know that we're donig fine.
As for our defence budget, some ways to save:
1. Buy less NGF, 10 should be enough and wait for F35. After all,
we have 60 F16.
2. Consolidate overseas training bases. MINDEF made the right
choice to close down one of the F16 training detachment in
US.
3. Call NSmen more often within the 1st five years of ORD. usually,
our pay are lower during the 1st few years of our career & we
are physically more fit.
4. New equipment are usually better. So, we need not buy so many.
EG. Bionix, we don't have to replace one Bionix for one M113. Same
for our new tanks.
Monday, June 20, 2005. 1:00pm (AEST)
OZ Defence Dept outlines benefits in Singapore defence
training
[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1396010.htm]
Australia's Defence Department says training in Australia by
Singapore's Armed Forces offers important benefits to Australia and
the region.
The department was giving evidence to a parliamentary hearing on a
five-year extension of Singapore's right to conduct military
exercises in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton in
central Queensland.
The proposed treaty allows Singapore to deploy up to 6,600 troops
for a maximum of 45 days a year.
A deputy secretary of the Defence Department, Shane Carmody, says
Singapore uses sophisticated technology and is a high quality
exercise partner for Australia.
"With inadequate training areas in Singapore, the use of the
Shoalwater Bay Training Area allows the Singaporean Armed Forces to
hone their military skills and maintain their technologically
advanced capability," he said.
"This technology benefits Australia by making Singapore a more
effective coalition partner - for example in the five-power defence
arrangements - and [as] a contributor to regional security."
Mr Carmody says Australia does not have the same defence training
links elsewhere in South-East Asia.
He says not many others in the Association of South-East Asian
Nations could offer the same level of sophisticated military
technology as Singapore.
"Within the agreement, over 6,000 troops can be deployed," he
said.
"It is a very high-end exercise and so we have not considered
inviting anyone else, mainly because I think, there's no-one else
that is operating quite at that level and this relationship does
provide us the opportunity to do something special for
Singapore."
© 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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