Offbeat warriors
New SAF unit tests out-of-box ideas, listens to 'rebels
within'
by Ng Boon Yian
[email protected]
WITHIN the well-drilled and disciplined ranks of the Singapore
Armed Forces, a bold and experimental streak is taking root.
.
For the past four months, a lean young outfit has been charged with
the task of playing "the rebel from within" that questions
established defence planning systems.
.
Its brief includes mulling over the movie, Matrix Reloaded, to seek
sparks of military inspiration.
.
Nothing is too far-fetched. The team is also looking at the animal
kingdom, computer games and movies for ideas to give Singapore an
edge on the battlefield.
.
"We are still trying to figure out what lessons we can draw from
Matrix Reloaded
maybe Finding Nemo would be more instructive,"
quipped Brigadier-General Jimmy Khoo (picture) from the Future
Systems Directorate (FSD).
.
As the head of FSD, BG Khoo's formal title is one that will also
not be out of place in any sci-fi movie: Future Systems
Architect.
.
But FSD is no aberrant child within a disciplined order. The
Ministry of Defence and SAF started looking at effecting major
changes two to three years back.
.
The fact that FSD reports directly to the Mindef Permanent
Secretary and the Chief of Defence Force also reflects the
importance of transformation.
.
Such radical rethinking within the military establishment was
driven by the new uncertain security environment that Singapore
finds itself in after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent
discovery of Jemaah Islamiyah cells here.
.
"We need to transform SAF into a very flexible and agile force that
will be able to adapt quickly to new threats and new missions, some
of which we may not even have thought about yet," BG Khoo told
Today shortly before today's SAF Day.
.
Besides, the SAF also had to contend with the so-called revolution
in military affairs, fuelled by information technology.
.
This new landscape has presented new conceptual possibilities in
the way military force can be deployed, and the world has had a
glimpse of this potential in the recent wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq, said BG Khoo.
.
For example, there was the extensive use of "smart weapons" capable
of surgical strikes. There was also the advent of unmanned
aircraft, fully controlled from the US, being used to conduct
missions traditionally done by fighter aircraft, he added.
.
Right now, Singapore's FSD is looking at exploiting information
systems as a force multiplier.
.
"Our conviction is that victory on the future battlefield would go
to the side that is best able to harness the exciting new
technologies to achieve information superiority seeing the
adversary first, knowing more about him and the battlefield,
understanding the combat situation better, enabling superior
decisions and faster action," BG Khoo explained.
.
The whole idea is that the force multiplier effect of superior
information can improve the capabilities of the SAF to the extent
that there would be changes to traditional organisation structures
and processes. It will also move the focus away from fighting
platforms such as tanks, ships and aircraft.
.
However, these ideas are still in the experimental stage. "We need
to explore and check out the ideas, the hypotheses, so that we can
shape them, pick the best, before plunging into implementation,"
said BG Khoo.
.
This is where the new SAF Centre for Military Experimen-tation
comes in. It will test such new concepts in a virtual
environment.
.
Set up in Stagmont Camp in Choa Chua Kang, about four kilometres
from the Mindef complex, the centre with three laboratories will
provide modelling and simulation facilities for the army, navy and
air force. Although experiments have begun, the centre will be
officially opened later this year, said BG Khoo.
.
But the innovation will come not so much from the facilities but
the people that make up FSD.
.
Now, it is made up of a small staff of 11 military people drawn
from a diverse mix of engineering and humanities backgrounds.
.
"Being small has an inherent advantage that we cherish we are
able to informally and quickly test ideas and concepts," said BG
Khoo. Another advantage is the youthful idealism of the team. "The
average age is 30 and takes into account this relatively old man!"
added the 41-year-old.
.
The former Director of Joint Operations and Planning is confident
that FSD's radical work will take off, even in the SAF where
discipline is highly valued.
.
Debunking any notions that the SAF was a monolithic dinosaur, BG
Khoo said: "The SAF is very receptive to new ideas and exploration
of alternatives and herein lies one of SAF's most enduring
strengths relative to those of many other armed forces."
New SAF unit tests out-of-box ideas, listens to 'rebels
within'
by Ng Boon Yian
[email protected]
WITHIN the well-drilled and disciplined ranks of the Singapore
Armed Forces, a bold and experimental streak is taking root.
.
For the past four months, a lean young outfit has been charged with
the task of playing "the rebel from within" that questions
established defence planning systems.
.
Its brief includes mulling over the movie, Matrix Reloaded, to seek
sparks of military inspiration.
.
Nothing is too far-fetched. The team is also looking at the animal
kingdom, computer games and movies for ideas to give Singapore an
edge on the battlefield.
.
"We are still trying to figure out what lessons we can draw from
Matrix Reloaded
maybe Finding Nemo would be more instructive,"
quipped Brigadier-General Jimmy Khoo (picture) from the Future
Systems Directorate (FSD).
.
As the head of FSD, BG Khoo's formal title is one that will also
not be out of place in any sci-fi movie: Future Systems
Architect.
.
But FSD is no aberrant child within a disciplined order. The
Ministry of Defence and SAF started looking at effecting major
changes two to three years back.
.
The fact that FSD reports directly to the Mindef Permanent
Secretary and the Chief of Defence Force also reflects the
importance of transformation.
.
Such radical rethinking within the military establishment was
driven by the new uncertain security environment that Singapore
finds itself in after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent
discovery of Jemaah Islamiyah cells here.
.
"We need to transform SAF into a very flexible and agile force that
will be able to adapt quickly to new threats and new missions, some
of which we may not even have thought about yet," BG Khoo told
Today shortly before today's SAF Day.
.
Besides, the SAF also had to contend with the so-called revolution
in military affairs, fuelled by information technology.
.
This new landscape has presented new conceptual possibilities in
the way military force can be deployed, and the world has had a
glimpse of this potential in the recent wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq, said BG Khoo.
.
For example, there was the extensive use of "smart weapons" capable
of surgical strikes. There was also the advent of unmanned
aircraft, fully controlled from the US, being used to conduct
missions traditionally done by fighter aircraft, he added.
.
Right now, Singapore's FSD is looking at exploiting information
systems as a force multiplier.
.
"Our conviction is that victory on the future battlefield would go
to the side that is best able to harness the exciting new
technologies to achieve information superiority seeing the
adversary first, knowing more about him and the battlefield,
understanding the combat situation better, enabling superior
decisions and faster action," BG Khoo explained.
.
The whole idea is that the force multiplier effect of superior
information can improve the capabilities of the SAF to the extent
that there would be changes to traditional organisation structures
and processes. It will also move the focus away from fighting
platforms such as tanks, ships and aircraft.
.
However, these ideas are still in the experimental stage. "We need
to explore and check out the ideas, the hypotheses, so that we can
shape them, pick the best, before plunging into implementation,"
said BG Khoo.
.
This is where the new SAF Centre for Military Experimen-tation
comes in. It will test such new concepts in a virtual
environment.
.
Set up in Stagmont Camp in Choa Chua Kang, about four kilometres
from the Mindef complex, the centre with three laboratories will
provide modelling and simulation facilities for the army, navy and
air force. Although experiments have begun, the centre will be
officially opened later this year, said BG Khoo.
.
But the innovation will come not so much from the facilities but
the people that make up FSD.
.
Now, it is made up of a small staff of 11 military people drawn
from a diverse mix of engineering and humanities backgrounds.
.
"Being small has an inherent advantage that we cherish we are
able to informally and quickly test ideas and concepts," said BG
Khoo. Another advantage is the youthful idealism of the team. "The
average age is 30 and takes into account this relatively old man!"
added the 41-year-old.
.
The former Director of Joint Operations and Planning is confident
that FSD's radical work will take off, even in the SAF where
discipline is highly valued.
.
Debunking any notions that the SAF was a monolithic dinosaur, BG
Khoo said: "The SAF is very receptive to new ideas and exploration
of alternatives and herein lies one of SAF's most enduring
strengths relative to those of many other armed forces." New SAF
unit tests out-of-box ideas, listens to 'rebels within'
by Ng Boon Yian
[email protected]
WITHIN the well-drilled and disciplined ranks of the Singapore
Armed Forces, a bold and experimental streak is taking root.
.
For the past four months, a lean young outfit has been charged with
the task of playing "the rebel from within" that questions
established defence planning systems.
.
Its brief includes mulling over the movie, Matrix Reloaded, to seek
sparks of military inspiration.
.
Nothing is too far-fetched. The team is also looking at the animal
kingdom, computer games and movies for ideas to give Singapore an
edge on the battlefield.
.
"We are still trying to figure out what lessons we can draw from
Matrix Reloaded
maybe Finding Nemo would be more instructive,"
quipped Brigadier-General Jimmy Khoo (picture) from the Future
Systems Directorate (FSD).
.
As the head of FSD, BG Khoo's formal title is one that will also
not be out of place in any sci-fi movie: Future Systems
Architect.
.
But FSD is no aberrant child within a disciplined order. The
Ministry of Defence and SAF started looking at effecting major
changes two to three years back.
.
The fact that FSD reports directly to the Mindef Permanent
Secretary and the Chief of Defence Force also reflects the
importance of transformation.
.
Such radical rethinking within the military establishment was
driven by the new uncertain security environment that Singapore
finds itself in after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent
discovery of Jemaah Islamiyah cells here.
.
"We need to transform SAF into a very flexible and agile force that
will be able to adapt quickly to new threats and new missions, some
of which we may not even have thought about yet," BG Khoo told
Today shortly before today's SAF Day.
.
Besides, the SAF also had to contend with the so-called revolution
in military affairs, fuelled by information technology.
.
This new landscape has presented new conceptual possibilities in
the way military force can be deployed, and the world has had a
glimpse of this potential in the recent wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq, said BG Khoo.
.
For example, there was the extensive use of "smart weapons" capable
of surgical strikes. There was also the advent of unmanned
aircraft, fully controlled from the US, being used to conduct
missions traditionally done by fighter aircraft, he added.
.
Right now, Singapore's FSD is looking at exploiting information
systems as a force multiplier.
.
"Our conviction is that victory on the future battlefield would go
to the side that is best able to harness the exciting new
technologies to achieve information superiority seeing the
adversary first, knowing more about him and the battlefield,
understanding the combat situation better, enabling superior
decisions and faster action," BG Khoo explained.
.
The whole idea is that the force multiplier effect of superior
information can improve the capabilities of the SAF to the extent
that there would be changes to traditional organisation structures
and processes. It will also move the focus away from fighting
platforms such as tanks, ships and aircraft.
.
However, these ideas are still in the experimental stage. "We need
to explore and check out the ideas, the hypotheses, so that we can
shape them, pick the best, before plunging into implementation,"
said BG Khoo.
.
This is where the new SAF Centre for Military Experimen-tation
comes in. It will test such new concepts in a virtual
environment.
.
Set up in Stagmont Camp in Choa Chua Kang, about four kilometres
from the Mindef complex, the centre with three laboratories will
provide modelling and simulation facilities for the army, navy and
air force. Although experiments have begun, the centre will be
officially opened later this year, said BG Khoo.
.
But the innovation will come not so much from the facilities but
the people that make up FSD.
.
Now, it is made up of a small staff of 11 military people drawn
from a diverse mix of engineering and humanities backgrounds.
.
"Being small has an inherent advantage that we cherish we are
able to informally and quickly test ideas and concepts," said BG
Khoo. Another advantage is the youthful idealism of the team. "The
average age is 30 and takes into account this relatively old man!"
added the 41-year-old.
.
The former Director of Joint Operations and Planning is confident
that FSD's radical work will take off, even in the SAF where
discipline is highly valued.
.
Debunking any notions that the SAF was a monolithic dinosaur, BG
Khoo said: "The SAF is very receptive to new ideas and exploration
of alternatives and herein lies one of SAF's most enduring
strengths relative to those of many other armed forces." New SAF
unit tests out-of-box ideas, listens to 'rebels within'
by Ng Boon Yian
[email protected]
WITHIN the well-drilled and disciplined ranks of the Singapore
Armed Forces, a bold and experimental streak is taking root.
.
For the past four months, a lean young outfit has been charged with
the task of playing "the rebel from within" that questions
established defence planning systems.
.
Its brief includes mulling over the movie, Matrix Reloaded, to seek
sparks of military inspiration.
.
Nothing is too far-fetched. The team is also looking at the animal
kingdom, computer games and movies for ideas to give Singapore an
edge on the battlefield.
.
"We are still trying to figure out what lessons we can draw from
Matrix Reloaded
maybe Finding Nemo would be more instructive,"
quipped Brigadier-General Jimmy Khoo (picture) from the Future
Systems Directorate (FSD).
.
As the head of FSD, BG Khoo's formal title is one that will also
not be out of place in any sci-fi movie: Future Systems
Architect.
.
But FSD is no aberrant child within a disciplined order. The
Ministry of Defence and SAF started looking at effecting major
changes two to three years back.
.
The fact that FSD reports directly to the Mindef Permanent
Secretary and the Chief of Defence Force also reflects the
importance of transformation.
.
Such radical rethinking within the military establishment was
driven by the new uncertain security environment that Singapore
finds itself in after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent
discovery of Jemaah Islamiyah cells here.
.
"We need to transform SAF into a very flexible and agile force that
will be able to adapt quickly to new threats and new missions, some
of which we may not even have thought about yet," BG Khoo told
Today shortly before today's SAF Day.
.
Besides, the SAF also had to contend with the so-called revolution
in military affairs, fuelled by information technology.
.
This new landscape has presented new conceptual possibilities in
the way military force can be deployed, and the world has had a
glimpse of this potential in the recent wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq, said BG Khoo.
.
For example, there was the extensive use of "smart weapons" capable
of surgical strikes. There was also the advent of unmanned
aircraft, fully controlled from the US, being used to conduct
missions traditionally done by fighter aircraft, he added.
.
Right now, Singapore's FSD is looking at exploiting information
systems as a force multiplier.
.
"Our conviction is that victory on the future battlefield would go
to the side that is best able to harness the exciting new
technologies to achieve information superiority seeing the
adversary first, knowing more about him and the battlefield,
understanding the combat situation better, enabling superior
decisions and faster action," BG Khoo explained.
.
The whole idea is that the force multiplier effect of superior
information can improve the capabilities of the SAF to the extent
that there would be changes to traditional organisation structures
and processes. It will also move the focus away from fighting
platforms such as tanks, ships and aircraft.
.
However, these ideas are still in the experimental stage. "We need
to explore and check out the ideas, the hypotheses, so that we can
shape them, pick the best, before plunging into implementation,"
said BG Khoo.
.
This is where the new SAF Centre for Military Experimen-tation
comes in. It will test such new concepts in a virtual
environment.
.
Set up in Stagmont Camp in Choa Chua Kang, about four kilometres
from the Mindef complex, the centre with three laboratories will
provide modelling and simulation facilities for the army, navy and
air force. Although experiments have begun, the centre will be
officially opened later this year, said BG Khoo.
.
But the innovation will come not so much from the facilities but
the people that make up FSD.
.
Now, it is made up of a small staff of 11 military people drawn
from a diverse mix of engineering and humanities backgrounds.
.
"Being small has an inherent advantage that we cherish we are
able to informally and quickly test ideas and concepts," said BG
Khoo. Another advantage is the youthful idealism of the team. "The
average age is 30 and takes into account this relatively old man!"
added the 41-year-old.
.
The former Director of Joint Operations and Planning is confident
that FSD's radical work will take off, even in the SAF where
discipline is highly valued.
.
Debunking any notions that the SAF was a monolithic dinosaur, BG
Khoo said: "The SAF is very receptive to new ideas and exploration
of alternatives and herein lies one of SAF's most enduring
strengths relative to those of many other armed forces."