IN FOCUS: 5% of GDP on Southeast Asia’s defence spending – viable or ‘pie within the sky’? | USAEMALL.com

THE SINGAPORE CASE

Both Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan have described the country’s approach to geopolitical rivalries as not taking sides, but upholding principles such as a global order underpinned by law and sovereignty.

China was the first country outside of Southeast Asia which Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited, after assuming the role in May last year. During his trip in late June, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and spoke of the “close and steadfast” partnership between both countries.

With the US, though not a formal treaty ally, experts said Singapore is considered a “solid” security partner.

Defence spending for the country has stayed within the range of 3 per cent of GDP over the past decade. 

During its Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) Budget debate earlier this year, former defence minister Ng Eng Hen said he expected growth in defence expenditure to “taper down” from the 2026 financial year, and to keep within the 3 per cent range over the next decade. 

This is, of course, barring major conflicts or severe economic uncertainty. Given rapid changes in the external environment, if the need arises, Singapore “must be prepared to invest more to further strengthen our capabilities”, Dr Ng told parliament then.