A Need For A Joint Multi-Mission Ship?

30 June 2014

Singapore is considering buying a ship large enough to send more helicopters to disaster zones, according to Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen.

Dr Ng said the recent Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines underlined the need for a Joint Multi-Mission Ship ("JMMS").

A larger JMMS will be able to carry more helicopters or have more helicopters operating. When the SAF responded to Typhoon Haiyan, it found that communication had been knocked out and there was no centralised ability for command and control of the airspace. In that context, a ship like the JMMS would have been very useful.

With the possible exception of the United States and China, does any country acquire costly military hardware for rescue missions in other countries?

The SAF should acquire military hardware necessary for its operational needs in the defence of Singapore, but not a single piece of hardware more than that.

And when conducting rescue work in neighbouring countries, the SAF should use its operational resources to the limit of their capability.