In response to the growing threat posed by UAS, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will establish a dedicated Counter-UAS Development and Operations group. This new unit, announced by Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen during the budget debate in Parliament on Monday, will work in collaboration with other government agencies to enhance national defence against drone-related threats.
“These small commercial UAS are easily procured on the open market… They can be retooled as weapons to inflict harm and destruction, for example, by terrorist groups,” Dr Ng warned.
Developing new counter-UAS capabilities
The SAF will deploy a suite of sensors, jammers and weapon solutions to detect and neutralize small UAS, integrating these new tools into Singapore’s existing island air defence network.
While Singapore already maintains robust air defence capabilities, small drones present unique challenges due to their size, mobility and affordability.
“I don’t want to give the wrong impression that it’s so easy and that there are comprehensive solutions to deal with all unmanned aerial systems. Small drones are, in fact, hard to detect,” Dr Ng emphasized.
Rising threat of drone warfare
Dr Ng underscored how drones are reshaping modern warfare, citing a study by the Kyiv School of Economics which found that Ukraine could produce four million drones annually, a dramatic increase from before its war with Russia.
The use of drones by terrorist and rebel groups has also grown, posing security concerns worldwide. Dr Ng highlighted the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group’s drone attacks in the Red Sea, noting that while it cost them only S$15 million (US$11 million) to launch 100 drones, defending against them required nearly S$250 million – a disparity he described as “clearly unsustainable.”
“The challenge is currently a focus of intense efforts everywhere. Everyone is trying to find a cost-effective solution to the problem of mass small drones used for attack,” he said.
UAS warfare and tactics centre
To further strengthen drone defence capabilities, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has established a UAS Warfare and Tactics Centre. This centre will lead efforts to develop and integrate counter-UAS strategies with the broader SAF structure, working alongside industry and technology agencies to create cutting-edge solutions.
Additionally, the Singapore Army will launch the Drone Accelerator for Rapid Equipping (DARE), an initiative aimed at rapidly scaling up the deployment of UAS and unmanned ground vehicles for military units.
Future of SAF’s counter-UAS strategy
The formation of the Counter-UAS Development and Operations group is part of a broader strategy to equip the SAF to deal with emerging drone threats. As drones continue to evolve in warfare, the SAF is taking proactive steps to enhance detection, disruption and neutralization capabilities, ensuring that Singapore is prepared for the challenges posed by modern aerial threats.
