| '''Military of Singapore | |
|---|---|
| Military manpower | |
| Availability | males age 15-49: 1,392,740 (2003 est.) |
| Fit for military service | males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.) |
| Military expenditures | |
| Dollar figure | $4.47 billion (FY01 est.) |
| Percent of GDP | 4.9% (FY01) |
Singapore relies primarily on its own defense forces, which are continuously being modernized. Its military was formed after the British pulled out of Singapore in December 1971. The defense budget accounts for approximately 28% of government operating expenditures (or 5% of GDP). A career military force of 20,000 is supplemented by 55,000 men on active National Service for a term of 2 to 2½ years depending on educational level and assigned military vocation, service is compulsory for all able-bodied young men who has reached 17½ years of age and not on deferment for educational reasons. Another 225,000 reservists who have completed active National Service and are placed in a 13 years stand-by period. These 'reservists' are liable for up to 40 days of active service every work year. Singapore defense forces engage in joint training with all the ASEAN nations and with the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of China (Taiwan), and India.
Singapore is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangement together with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Designed to replace the former defense role of the British in the Singapore-Malaysia area, the arrangement obligates members to consult in the event of external threat and provides for stationing Commonwealth forces in Singapore.
Singapore has consistently supported a strong U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 1990, the U.S. and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which allows the U.S. access to Singapore facilities at Paya Lebar Airbase and the Sembawang wharves. Under the MOU, a U.S. Navy logistics unit was established in Singapore in 1992; U.S. fighter aircraft deploy periodically to Singapore for exercises, and a number of U.S. military vessels visit Singapore. The MOU was amended in 1999 to permit U.S. naval vessels to berth at the Changi Naval Base, which was completed in early 2001.
Military branches: