The Straits Times
31 July 2017
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- As NS Turns 50, What Is Its Future?
As NS Turns 50, What Is Its Future?
NS has changed significantly since its early days, when most enlistees were trained as riflemen in infantry battalions.
The roles of national servicemen have broadened over the years, in tandem with technological advances.
It will likely change even further as the SAF deals with its greatest challenge – falling birth rates.
Experts say the manpower crunch would lead to greater use of robotics and unmanned systems, to make up the shortfall and boost productivity.
Dr Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow with the military studies programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), said: “What it means on the receiving end is our boys will go into NS expected to man more sophisticated systems. We have to compensate the lack of manpower with technology-based firepower.”
IDSS / Print / Online
