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| Just what the doctor ordered |
In his "needs-only basis" defence of his budget, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen had claimed, "We buy only what we need, scrutinise available options for the most cost-effective solution. Our first instinct is to upgrade existing platforms to extend their lifespan, instead of purchasing new ones." In a previous comment on the F-35 JSF, his Ministry had confirmed that the plane was “a potential candidate” to meet the air force’s “longer-term requirements for a multi-role fighter”. Do we really really need a top of the line US$68 million (basic configuration) fighter plane? The F-35 is definitely a new plane, so new that it's production schedule is still uncertain.
Although billed as a cost-effective Chevrolet of the skies, the the F-35 loomed as the Pentagon’s biggest budget-buster. Even with the deep pockets of the US of A, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is eyeing next-generation weapons, specifically the F-35, should $500 billion in automatic defense budget cuts go into effect starting in January 2013. The Pentagon will cut $1.6 billion from the program, canceling 13 jets next year, under proposals sent to Congress on Feb 13. It had initially planned to spend nearly $382 billion for development and purchases of the F-35. Italy announced it will reduce its planned order from 131 to 90 F-35s. Even orders from the U.K., the biggest partner with a stake of US$2 billion, are in flux.
Singapore's defence expenditure has been on an insatiable climb, rising this year to a humongous S$12.3 billion, constituting 24.4 per cent of the government's total expenditure for 2012, according to an AFP report. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) lists Singapore as one of 5 countries accounting for almost a third, 30 percent, of the volume of international arms imports - India (11 percent), South Korea (6 percent ), China and Pakistan (both 5 percent), and Singapore (4 percent). Yes, Singapore (pop. 4.6 million, land area 693 sq km) is spending almost as much as China (pop. 1,330 million, land area 9,596,960 sq km).
The US has a "super committee" – officially called the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (JSCDR) – to decide the fate of the costly fighter jet. Thanks to the mandate given by 60.1 %, we have one ex-surgeon with a blank check and a shopping list to delight a kid at a candy store.
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I am not convienced that we should spend so much on defence. Better help the poor.
ReplyDelete25% of our total budget is too much for defence. SAF should constantly review the risk factor and adjust their speding accordingly.
This is the same for a household expenditure, given me a choice, I will also want to live in a Good Class bangalow and drive fancy cars. Why settle for a flat and taking MRT?
What do u expect when both urvpm and Dpm are bg. We have so many army personnels in high places such as the cabinet, parliament, pub,SBS, smart and so on.
ReplyDeleteThey sure need to prove they are indeed important hence take the biggest piece of pie in our budget.
Do the right thing in 2016 and may be we will see the light of day !
Mo money for planes but less for making medical fees and housing affordable.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense.
Actually I suspect these people on top may not even know what they're doing and what is best for Singapore. They just conveniently choose some expensive options , fooling themselves into thinking they're the safest, they will do the job.
ReplyDeleteGovernment Is Sleeping On Its Job!
My answer is "Don't Need". I'll spend the money helping the poor and needy, which I think is a greater priority, not to buy such airplanes for the showcase. Buy only what we need and don't get conned !
ReplyDeleteIn the history of the world, the easiest way to grow the GDP is to go to war and/or scare public that without military deterrence there'll be no peace/security.
ReplyDeleteThis creates very easily more and more jobs for public and private sector. And, in the process, get rewarded with millions from taxpayers for claiming to be the best talent.
i guess these planes will be Really useful when - not if - there is unrest in this country due to the growing income gap and the "affordability" of things here.
ReplyDeleteIn land scarce S'pore, a 68mil plane may not be hard to justify. Think of the enormous land space that can be cleared up for airbases, etc. How about clearing up Paya Lebar base. The land sales alone will be enough to cover more than 1 squadron. defense spending is sometimes, difficult to quantity.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to reduce defence spending ...
ReplyDeleteIf you want to help the poor, needy and elderly....
Vote Opposition.
Look at Hougang SMC.
They voted Opposition.
And now they get free Teochew porridge.
40% voted Opposition in GE 2011.
And we get an inclusive budget in 2012.
SAF keep on saying we need strong defence forces to ensure our safety. We can buy that. But the way they spend is like having a blank cheque. Who is accountable to who and who knows exactly what were purchased are most needed. Don't forget there is always a difference between want and a need. Charitable organisations also want the best land and best buildings for their poor but can they get what they want? No, they hardly get what they need.
ReplyDeleteSo, there must be a body to curb the appetite of our generals. Otherwise, we may be paying lots of money for no appreciable returns.
We don't need a strong defence.
ReplyDeleteWe have been bled dry.
No more blood left to bleed.
We want Singapore to become an American protectorate.
The Singapore government is a luxury we can no longer afford.
so sad.
DeleteWe have the best airforce in the region and best military hardware but are our people enjoing the best standard of living? Think we have the highest cost of living instead!
DeleteTo Anonymous Mar 23, 2012 12:20 AM
ReplyDeleteThink Big! Join the People's Republic Of China as an autonomous region with special administrative rights. Instead of bringing in PRC immigrants by the plane-loads, we join them. After all the years that this government has been sucking up to them, and being feted by them, isn't this what it wants? We won't need to spend so much on defence and our security concerns will be solved. If any of our neighbours starts to get rough, just whistle for big brother. This country has always been too small for the old. Think of it, he could be in the politburo with 1.3 billion people to dominate (1965 Malaysia was peanuts). We automatically get a huge hinterland and market (our GST will go through the roof!) and the PRC has an outpost right in the middle of SEA, with a naval base and air force all ready to go. Win Win! The Paracels and Spratleys will be easy meat for them, and you can throw in Taiwan and the Daioyu Islands.
Guess I'm just day-dreaming, as you were! But to be safe, and since this is a government we can no longer afford, more practical is to vote the opposition the next time. They will probably divert more funds into social spending, than to feed the insecurity and paranoia of someone.
Singapore to join PRC?
DeleteThanks, but no thanks.
My grandparents came to Singapore because PRC could not feed & clothe them.
I'd rather be an American citizen.
Remember David Lim?
Former politician turned NOL CEO.
I may be wrong.
But after NOL, David Lim quit Singapore and emigrated to Australia.
I don't see too many of our elites taking up PRC citizenship.
You see any Ministers' children studying in China universities?
They are all going to USA universities.
Wow, I've probably stirred up a hornet's nest, but I agree with you. Sorry for conveying the wrong message, but I was just kidding too, or maybe my sarcasm was not so obvious. My fault, as I meant this to be a tongue-in-cheek comment, or as an MP said, it's just a joke. The US of A would probably be a better option, if you want to emigrate, like what you said. I was merely commenting on how sycophantic this government is to the PRC, always pandering to them, and how obsessed it is on defence and the GST and in bringing here so many immigrants, especially from the PRC.
DeleteAnd (you not agree with this) the most important is to cut defence expenditures and put more in social spending and healthcare, and we can do that through the ballot box, because the PAP is "incapable of reinventing itself".
Singapore SAR, hmmm, sounds good. I'll be able to take a dumb but hot PRC wife then and no need to go to ICA.
ReplyDeleteJust because you drink the milk,
DeleteDoes not mean you have to buy the cow.
For the record, I was kidding, seriously, I wouldn't touch a dirty stinking, money-grabber PRC with a 1,000-feet pole - no matter how good looking she is! There are more one kind of cows out there.
DeleteSad! Sad! Sad! I wish we could turn the clock back, then Mr Chen Show Mao would be able to use today's post to answer NairLiar's question about where the funds to help the poor will come from - and shut that crown of pubic hair up! How about buying one fewer US$68,000,000 plane, huh?
ReplyDeleteLike I said.
DeleteWe can't afford this PAP government anymore.
Agree. Two areas we are most concerned. 1. SAF spending - there seems to be bottomless. Is there a panel to decide if the spending is justified or said so by generals? Do we need to issue iPad to soldiers? What about those expensive hightech equipment?
Delete2. Second concern is whether CPF has the money collected from us. They must have collected trillions but our reserves stand a billions. Can someone clarify?
Right, the present government is too expensive to maintain.
ReplyDeleteIf Singaorean see no stake in the country who to fly the most powerful fighter aircraft in the world?
ReplyDeleteLet the rich defend their bungalows by themselves.
Deleteit is pretty clear we do not need US$68M fighter jets, but the father n son including familee members definitely need these hi-tech planes to provide cover when they Scoot Off at the first sign of trouble....their cowardly track record more or less vindicates my assessment...LOL
ReplyDelete