Over 500 educational, community, commercial and government organisations will take part in exercises.
The exercise, which will run till Feb 29, involves over 500 educational, community, commercial and government organisations, which will take part in exercises that simulate attacks on Singapore carried out by an anonymous aggressor using various means.
DPM Wong said in a video message that Total Defence has kept Singapore safe and guided its people through many challenges, including terrorism, financial crises and a pandemic. Total Defence is commemorated on Feb 15, when British forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942 during World War II at 6.20pm. The Japanese occupied the country till Sept 12, 1945.Dr Ng, who was guest of honour at the launch of Exercise SG Ready, said in his speech that Total Defence becomes more relevant when troubles increase around Singapore or the globe.and possible war in Asia if the United States and China come to blows.
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, they regretted it. They wanted to reinstate national service, but they found that they could not do that, even with the potential aggressor at their doorstep.”