Part II
The relationship between Singapore and the U.S has gained dept
especially after the 911 incidents. We all know that being a small
Island state, we need big / super powers support in both economic
and military arena. Personally, for Singapore (being the first few,
if not, first Asia nation) to obtain a FTA (Free Trade Agreement)
with the U.S takes more than meeting the eyes.
Have anyone ask ourselves why the Sing-dollars were the least
depreciated currency as compare to the Malaysia dollars, Indonesia
rupees and the Thai bath during the recent economic crisis? Whereas
these currencies almost lost half its usual values??! This is
another story / or opinion of mine to shares with all bros out
there sometime later, provided I have not bore you guys out
there!
Basically, our Island states act as a midway refueling center for
the fighter jets from Guam and the 7th fleet (in logistic support).
Located right in the middle of a Muslim region, it takes more than
guts to be a host nation supporting the U.S in the middle of a Gulf
war. Hence, being a target for the JI is no surprise to the SAF,
its merely a trade off for a bigger objective a calculated
moves!
It is an open secret that Singapore has easy access to most of the
advance weapon from the States that is only available to very close
allies. These weapon make available to us the firepower, are not
proportional to our size, let alone the arsenal process by our
neighboring countries, basically, its overkill by at lease 3 time
its requirements (my opinion only)!
RSAF flies the F16s in the states way before we announced our
intention to procure these machines, pack in the US before our
neighboring states takes delivery of their F16A/B version and the
other one, announcement on the procurement of the F18.
If I tell you guys that I saw a low flying Apache in our sky in the
beginning of the 90s, will you guys believe me?
The SAF is actively supporting the UN missions; we all know who
runs the UN and even though the UN objected the Gulf war II saga,
together with France and Italy, does these factors deter the U.S in
attacking Iraq? In another angle, are we supporting the calls from
the UN or the U.S??
It is an open secret that the U.S cannot take more than two
battlefronts at the same time. With the current tensions in the
Gulf, China/Taiwan potential conflict and the rising tension with
North Korea, the U.S is in need of more supporting allies!
Moreover, geographically, being a mid point in between the East and
the West, using Singapore as a midway logistic depot and repair
center is inevitable in the events of conflict WAR in the East.
Hence, to ease the burden from the U.S in protecting us, our
arsenal must not only be power pack, it must be deadly, total
destructive as we, Singapore, being a tiny country with limited
resources, cannot fought a prolong battle (according to Jane
defense journal some years back, within 7 days we will, and must
reach 400KM into our enemy territory!) Being an urban state, we
cannot afford to build a frontline right in our doorstep. (quote:
Dr. M a nation that put its frontline in the middle of its
neighbor country call themselves a friendly nation? unquote)
But this is our past strategy. Without our current arsenal, we can
perform the above-mentioned ops. Today, we are looking to play a
bigger role in this region especially for the RSN!
End of part II. (This article is entirely base on my own views and
opinions.)
