'We are simply stronger together': Desmond Choo stresses importance of maintaining global defence supply chains

Singapore must work together with partners across the world to maintain supply chains, Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo said on Tuesday (Sept 8).

MOS Choo was speaking at the 15th Seoul Defence Dialogue in Seoul, South Korea, where he highlighted the importance of supply chains in maintaining defence resilience.

Drawing reference to the Middle East conflict, he stated that the supply chains built over decades have "come under strain".

"Singapore is not spared," he said, explaining that about 90 per cent of oil that goes through the Strait of Hormuz is headed for Asia, including Singapore.

He added: "A single chokepoint can cascade into serious consequences thousands of miles from the origin, and lead to shortages in diverse areas from fertilisers to shipping containers. Defence supply chains are not excepted from these risks."

Choo explained that Singapore is especially vulnerable to the fast-evolving strategic environment.

"So therefore, my key message is this: securing our defence supply chains is a positive-sum effort; we are simply stronger together.

"In a more contested world, a strong web of trusted partnerships can only be a strategic advantage. By combining our collective strengths across leading technologies, expertise, and innovation ecosystems, we can turn our partnerships into a source of resilience."

To do so, Singapore is working across three aspects to secure partnerships.

The Government has been working to establish platforms between governments to strengthen supply chain linkages and deepen partnerships with trusted partners.

These include Supply Chain Resilience Agreements with New Zealand and Australia for food and fuel, as well as countries such as the US, France and Italy to strengthen supply chains for defence equipment and platforms.

Singapore also recognises South Korea's "advanced and highly capable" defence ecosystem, and the Government is keen on developing defence technology co-operation with such powerhouses, Choo said.

He added: "Singapore looks forward to doing more with the Republic of Korea's defence agencies and companies, and with many of the countries present here today."

Last, Singapore also aims to invest in our defence industry, including in areas like logistics, sustainment, maintenance, repair and overhaul.

"This means not only growing our physical capacity but also investing in the technologies and capabilities that will keep our industry competitive," Choo explained.

He added that investments in resilience cannot be considered overhead costs in this day and age.

"It is in fact an enabling condition for everything else," Choo stated.

"For a small country like Singapore, the resilience of our supply chain is fundamental to our defence.

"However, this resilience can only be built in partnership with others. Singapore looks forward to working with like-minded partners to secure and advance our defence industrial interests."

khooyihang@asiaone.com

新加坡国防部政务部长朱棣明周二（9月8日）表示，新加坡必须与世界各地的合作伙伴共同努力，以维持供应链。

韩国国防部长秋美飒在韩国首尔举行的第十五届首尔防务对话上发表讲话，强调了供应链在维持国防韧性方面的重要性。

他以中东冲突为例，指出几十年来建立的供应链“面临压力”。

“新加坡也未能幸免，”他解释说，经过霍尔木兹海峡的石油约有 90% 流向亚洲，包括新加坡。

他补充道：“一个瓶颈点可能会引发远在数千英里之外的严重后果，导致从化肥到集装箱等各个领域的短缺。国防供应链也无法避免这些风险。”

Choo解释说，新加坡尤其容易受到快速变化的战略环境的影响。

因此，我的主要信息是：保障我们的国防供应链是一项双赢的努力；团结起来我们只会更强大。

“在一个竞争日益激烈的世界里，强大的、值得信赖的合作伙伴关系网络无疑是一种战略优势。通过整合我们在领先技术、专业知识和创新生态系统方面的集体优势，我们可以将合作伙伴关系转化为韧性的源泉。”

为此，新加坡正从三个方面着手建立合作伙伴关系。

政府一直致力于建立政府间平台，以加强供应链联系，并深化与可信赖伙伴的合作。

其中包括与新西兰和澳大利亚就食品和燃料达成的供应链弹性协议，以及与美国、法国和意大利等国就加强国防设备和平台供应链达成的协议。

Choo表示，新加坡也认可韩国“先进且能力强大的”国防生态系统，新加坡政府热衷于与此类国防强国发展国防技术合作。

他补充道：“新加坡期待与韩国国防机构和企业，以及今天在座的许多国家开展更多合作。”

最后，新加坡还计划投资国防工业，包括后勤、保障、维护、修理和大修等领域。

Choo解释说：“这意味着不仅要扩大我们的物理产能，还要投资于能够保持我们行业竞争力的技术和能力。”

他还补充说，在当今时代，对韧性的投资不能被视为间接成本。

“这实际上是其他一切事物得以发生的必要条件，”Choo说道。

“对于新加坡这样的小国来说，供应链的韧性对我们的国防至关重要。”

“然而，这种韧性只能通过与他国合作才能建立。新加坡期待与志同道合的伙伴携手合作，以保障和推进我们的国防工业利益。”

khooyihang@asiaone.com