Singapore Military

Recruitment Posters

Body of Work

(Can be used for Independent Oral Presentation or HL Essay)

Contextual Information / Timeline

Whilst the modern Singapore Armed Forces were founded in 1966, Singapore's military history

is long and its military importance stems from its geographical location. Archaeological digs

discovered remnants of military fortifications in pre-colonial Singapore. The British chose

Singapore in 1819 to establish a new colony in order to secure their Far East trading routes

against the Dutch. Thus, Singapore, a British Crown Colony, played a key role in British military

interests for decades, and especially the years leading up to the First and Second World Wars.

During World War II, the SSVF took part in the Battle of Singapore but most of its members

were captured on 15 February 1942 when their positions were overrun by Japanese forces.

After the end of the war, the SSVF was re-constituted in 1948, but the SVF was absorbed into

the Singapore Military Forces (SMF, predecessor of the SAF) following the disbandment of the

SSVF in 1954. Subsequently, in 1961, SMF was renamed to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

When Singapore achieved independence in 1965, its military consisted of only two infantry

regiments, commanded by British officers and made up of mostly non-Singaporean residents.

When Britain’s military left in 1971, only a small amount of British, Australian and New Zealand

forces remained behind. The last of the British soldiers left Singapore in March 1976. At this

time, Singapore believed that it need a larger, capable, economically-efficient defence force to

protect and defend itself. To begin with, Singapore set up a defence force modelled in after

the Israel Defense Forces. Jungle warfare techniques were taught so that the Singaporean army

could engage in combat in the jungle areas of its neighbouring countries. The army also bought

battle tanks from Israel.

Armed Forces Day is commemorated by the SAF annually on 1 July, with a parade held at the

Singapore Armed Forces Military Institute or SAFTI.