Reunification: 2006

Langley SG

Heh, I agree with you. Occupation zone in southern Johor would be crazy. How to man? I NSman liao leh. Wait kena recall from job/studies to do duty there and maybe even die there. Morale will fall and the economy seriously affected. An occupation zone in southern Johor would transform Singapore instantly into the Israel of Southeast Asia, as Huxley pointed out. We compare ourselves to Israel all the time but c'mon on, we haven't really experienced what it's like to fear being killed by a suicide bomber everytime we take a SBS bus or go Orchard. Israel pulled out of southern Lebanon for a reason. We shouldn't be stupid enough to repeat that lesson. Hence, Singapore doesn't really have any strong reason to fight an offensive war since we realistically cannot expect to occupy any territory from our neighbours.

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

Malaysia does not want to fight a protracted war as well. In the case of any outbreak of hostilities. A protracted war will greatly screw up their nation as well. Unless it is a zero sum game, which is very unlikely, the use of military force would be measured, somewhat limited to reduce damage on either side where the point of the war is not to crush your enemy, but hurt him enough to make him more willing to see things your way.

Stories like ASTROS 2 bombardment blanketing Singapore are far-fetched for the very reason we are not living with neighbours would want to see us destroyed at any cost. And besides, given the fact that there are plenty of civillian and assets from other militaries in Singapore, anyhow shooting rockets into the nation will probably hurt the attacker more in the long run. Sure you can fight a war but when your palm oil kenna santioned and people are forced to buy US soy oil, you might want to think twice about using your toys as if they are some trump card.

While we cannot rely on nations like the US to fight a war for us, it would be more foolish to think that we do not need them as allies.

Who would dare to bully Singapore, if it not only has a credible armed force, but also healthy relations with other nations which bully boy will not dare to offend.

Langley SG

I agree Cool Its not just palm oil or rubber. Malaysia's economy has now moved into manufacturing but it, and most of ASEAN, export their manufactured goods mostly to the G7 countries. So any sanctions from them would hurt Malaysia greatly. And in Malaysia and Indonesia, just as in Singapore, economic performance very important in social stability. Just look at 1997. Still, this does not mean that there will never be any wars in the region given all our tensions. I never meant to say that our relations with the US are not important. Just that I wanted to take a look at how exactly the US would respond to any threat to Singapore and kinda concluded that it wouldn't be easy to support us Sad

arburthen? SG

By 2006 the first of the 3 varyvag copies which china is producing will roll off from production.

Supposing mayalsia occupies us. China will send her warships to these region on the pretext of a peacekeeping force and to guard her shipping, once that happens Japan will become suspicious thinking that china is again trying to hold japanese hostage as it did in the diaoyutai episode, she too will send her warships here on that same pretext along with phillippines,korea and vietnam who previously had coastal clashes with china.

The US seeing Chinese warships in proximity of our region may think china is out to blockade taiwan in the first re-unification manevours will also send warships.

Everybody will be here on the pretext of peacekeeping force but in reality suspicious of everybody else.

That's why they will ensure that
1) no violence breaks out
2) Singapore's health and survival
3) and they will ensure that everybody leaves the immediate region once episode is over or not at all.

That last point is the reason why malaysia or indoesia in today's context will NOT ty to occupy singapore.

Jazzswing SG

I think the previous post has point out a very possible seanario that many have left out..With the vital shipping lane…many countries especially China (assuming they have an operational carrier force by then) will try to protect their own interests.

Tango1 SG

For any of you fans interested in naval issues regarding the Taiwan reunification and even Southeast Asia, here's a good book to pick up from the SAFTI library:

Meconis, Charles A., Michael D. Wallace. East Asian Naval Weapons Acquisitions in the 1990s: Causes, Consequences and Responses. (Westport,Conn: Praeger Publishers, 2000)

Pretty in-depth study of naval acquisitions in the region, plus a focus on the SE Asian region as well...worth the read Very Happy

Jazzswing SG

SAFTI library? Means only NS personnel can borrow?

Tango1 SG

Nope...open to public also. A wealth of military books....everything from doctrines to biographies... Mr. Green

Jazzswing SG

Where’s SAFTI library?

Langley SG

Its just behind the parade square. Near the SAFTI canteen. Need to bring your IC to register for membership.

|-|05| SG

u can order in….....ask ur local library to bring the book to that outlet…..but best is still go there see see lah

Jazzswing SG

Oh..didnt know that..any info on how to go there? Maybe one day go see see. Smile

Langley SG

Heh, that time I went, I took bus from Boon Lay (forgot which number liao) and walked all the way in along the SAFTI main road and cut across the parade square. Abt 15min walk.. xiong. Dunno if got any shorter way.

Tango1 SG

Hey Jazzwing and anyone else who's interested, here's the link: Very Happy

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safti/saftilibrary/

Langley SG

http://www.malaysia.net/lists/sangkancil/2000-04/msg01134.html

Found out that Malaysia has a brigade (is that the same as a division?) of Rapid Deployment Force. Presumably airborne since the article said they are to be shuttled between West and East Malaysia during crises. So its not like our RDF which is mostly heliborne.

tripwire SG

a division is a higher organizational structure within an armed forces compared to a brigade..

in some countries.. 2 brigade makes up 1 division.
in other countries... up to 7 brigade makes up 1 division.
in some cases... 1 brigade is designated as a division in some nation.

the number of man per division also differ from country to country in each nation.

a rapid deployment force RDF... is dependent on airlift to be "rapid" but in order to "fly" to a destination safely... they must first estab air superiority.

a RDF that cannot fly.. is no different from an infantry in trucks or on foot.

a RDF once off the air... is also no different from an infantry...

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