Navigating an Uncertain Future Through Technology and Partnerships
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat delivered a keynote speech at the Singapore Defence Technology Summit 2025 on March 19, emphasizing the role of technology and international collaboration in addressing global security challenges. The summit, organized by the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), brought together global defence leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the evolving threats and opportunities in the defence technology landscape.
DPM Heng highlighted the growing complexity of global security, pointing to geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity threats, and rapid technological advancements as key challenges. He referenced the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, instability in the Middle East, and rising US-China strategic competition as factors reshaping global defence and trade dynamics.
Beyond traditional military threats, the rise of asymmetric warfare—including AI-enabled disinformation, cyberattacks, and the use of autonomous systems in military operations—is forcing nations to rethink their defence strategies. “The world is becoming more complex, and the pace of technological advancement is relentless,” DPM Heng said. “We must ensure that technology is used to enhance security, not increase vulnerabilities.”
To address these challenges, DPM Heng outlined Singapore’s defence technology strategy, based on three key principles: Progress, Protect, and Partner.
Singapore is committed to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 Plan, Singapore has allocated S$28 billion to support technological advancements in various sectors, including defence.
A significant focus is on AI-driven defence solutions. Through initiatives like the National AI Strategy 2.0, Singapore has invested over S$500 million in AI research, with an additional S$120 million set aside for an “AI for Science” initiative to support universities and research institutes. AI is already being used in autonomous drones, cybersecurity, and military logistics, enhancing operational efficiency and situational awareness.
Another key area of development is quantum technology. Singapore has committed S$300 million to its National Quantum Strategy, aimed at strengthening quantum-safe communications and advancing quantum research. The launch of the Quantum-Safe Network Plus initiative and a new Quantum Sensing Centre further position Singapore as a leader in next-generation security technologies.
With digital threats becoming more sophisticated, DPM Heng stressed the importance of cybersecurity and ethical AI governance. Singapore has recently amended its Cybersecurity Act (2024) to enhance the protection of critical information infrastructure (CII), including government and private-sector digital assets.
To combat AI-enabled disinformation, Singapore has launched several initiatives, including the AI Assurance Pilot and the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Masterplan 2.0, which introduces a “secure-by-deployment” approach to ensure cybersecurity from system design to implementation.
The defence sector is also adopting rigorous verification and validation frameworks for AI-enabled autonomous systems. “While AI can enhance productivity and security, we must ensure its responsible and ethical use,” DPM Heng said.
Recognizing that no country can tackle security challenges alone, DPM Heng called for stronger international cooperation in defence technology governance. Singapore has played a leading role in shaping global AI and military ethics, co-sponsoring a UN General Assembly Resolution on Military AI and co-hosting the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit.
Beyond government-level partnerships, Singapore is fostering public-private collaboration to accelerate defence innovation. The launch of Stage One, a one-stop platform for defence and emerging tech start-ups, aims to connect entrepreneurs with industry leaders and investors. The government has also provided a S$440 million top-up to the Startup SG Equity Scheme, catalyzing venture capital investment in deep-tech startups focused on defence applications.
As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence and the 25th anniversary of the DSTA, DPM Heng urged all stakeholders to embrace innovation while ensuring security and ethical responsibility. “This summit is not just an exchange of ideas, but a call to action,” he said. “Through technology and partnerships, we can turn uncertainty into opportunity.”
By advancing research, strengthening cybersecurity, and fostering international partnerships, Singapore aims to remain a global leader in defence technology, ensuring a secure and resilient future for all.
Source – PMO
