書面答覆 · 2022-01-11 · 屆國會 14
科技助力國防應對少子化
議員質詢新加坡低生育率對武裝部隊兵力的影響，國防部長回應指出，國防部早已將人力需求納入戰略規劃，通過技術提升兵力效能，如自動化雷達、無人艦艇及AI應用，持續最佳化人力資源，確保國防力量不因兵源減少而削弱。
關鍵要點
- • 低生育率影響兵力
- • 技術提升人力效率
- • 持續最佳化作業流程
通過技術創新保障國防實力
關注少子化對兵力影響
推動AI與自動化軍事應用
“The SAF will have to incorporate advancements in robotics, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to further improve its work processes and raise productivity.”
參與人員 (2)
完整譯文（中文）
Hansard 原始記錄 · 2026-05-02
2號議員克里斯托弗·德·索薩（Mr Christopher de Souza）問國防部長，鑑於新加坡2020年總生育率降至1.1，新加坡武裝部隊將如何利用技術進步確保部隊繼續保持強大和任務準備狀態。
黃永宏博士：國防部同意尊敬的議員克里斯托弗·德·索薩的看法，新加坡低生育率對武裝部隊維持強大國防構成了重大結構性挑戰。武裝部隊確實在大約三十年前就認識到這一核心挑戰，將所有行動的人力需求納入制定計劃和採購平臺的關鍵戰略驅動因素。三軍（空軍、陸軍和海軍）所有單位都嚴格執行紀律，重新設計流程，使其能夠以更少的人力運作，但效率保持不變甚至更高。
這些措施大膽且雄心勃勃，促使整個武裝部隊重新審視如何利用技術提升人力生產力。許多新採購的平臺必須滿足嚴格的人力要求。例如，陸軍最近採購的TPQ-53武器定位雷達採用自動化技術，與前代產品相比減少了30%的人力需求，同時探測範圍有所增加。同樣，海軍現在使用無人船隻在新加坡海峽執行海上監視和安全任務。
因此，現代化的武裝部隊如今既精簡又高效。但這種持續最佳化人力的努力必須繼續。武裝部隊將必須結合機器人技術、資料分析和人工智慧（AI）的進步，進一步改進工作流程，提高生產力。例如，在空軍基地試驗自動駕駛車輛，沿預設路線運輸裝置和人員，以及使用AI驅動的無人機評估跑道損壞情況。
崗位重新設計也是最佳化人力資源的重要舉措。例如，引入無人值守瞭望塔，使之前因健康問題被豁免服役的官兵現在能夠擔任營區和關鍵設施的安全警衛。
武裝部隊決心確保因低總生育率導致的兵源減少不會影響國家防禦。事實上，儘管新兵來源減少，武裝部隊依然是一支有效的軍事力量，是對任何潛在威脅的強大威懾。
英文原文
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02
2 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Defence in light of the falling total fertility rate in Singapore to 1.1 in 2020, how will the Singapore Armed Forces use technological advancement to ensure its forces continue to be formidable and mission-ready.
Dr Ng Eng Hen : MINDEF agrees with the hon Member Christopher de Souza that Singapore's low fertility rates represent a significant structural challenge to SAF in maintaining a strong national defence. SAF has indeed recognised this as a core challenge some three decades ago by incorporating manpower requirements for all operations as a key strategic driver in formulating plans and procuring platforms. Strict discipline was applied to all units in the three Air, Land and Sea services such that processes were re-engineered to be able to function with fewer men or women, but at the same or even greater effectiveness.
These were bold and ambitious measures and forced a re-look across the entire SAF to leverage technology to improve manpower productivity. Many new platforms acquired had to satisfy stringent requirements for manpower. For example, the Army’s recently acquired TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar makes use of automation and reduces manpower requirements by 30% compared with its predecessors, but with an increased detection range. Similarly, the Navy now uses new vessels for maritime surveillance and security in the Singapore Straits, which are unmanned.
As a result, today’s modernised SAF is lean and effective. But this relentless drive to optimise manpower must continue. The SAF will have to incorporate advancements in robotics, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to further improve its work processes and raise productivity. Examples are the trialling of automated vehicles in our airbases to transport equipment and personnel along pre-programmed routes and AI-enabled drones to assess damage along runways.
Job redesign is also an important initiative to optimise our manpower resource. For example, the introduction of unmanned watchtowers has enabled servicemen previously exempted due to medical issues to now serve as security troopers for our camps and critical installations.
The SAF is determined that smaller cohorts due to the low total fertility rates will not compromise our national defence. Indeed, despite a smaller NS pool, the SAF continues to be an effective military force and a strong deterrent against any potential threat.