with only about 1.5k of wimmenz in the force, they are a real rare pokemon

http://www.janes.com/article/52609/tkms-st...18sg-submarines

Last in 2008, the number is about 10% of the total force
The number probably have gone up with maf targets about 20% female enlistment out of the yearly 10,000 fresh recruits

http://www.janes.com/article/52607/singapo...iversary-parade

I think I saw the data for 2010, so the numbers (13,000-14,000 female personnel) are not that far off, considering ATM has about 100,000-115,000 personnel in total.

very true... good observation... i hope in the future singkie gals will get conscripted too like idf now mostly are gungho solja gals or scholars

but also not forgetting recently a new formation within the SAF was formed and participation among womens were good

First cohort of SAFVC volunteers mark end of basic training



Commander SAFVC Colonel Mike Tan said their training has better prepared them to serve alongside regular and national servicemen in supporting roles and also allowed them a glimpse into the SAF experience.

SINGAPORE: The inaugural cohort of the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) marked the end of their basic training with a Beret Presentation Parade at Maju Camp on Saturday (Jun 27).

The 226 SAFVC volunteers (SVs), who came from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages, stood steadfast under the sweltering sun to don their service beret and belt out the SAF pledge and the national anthem.

During the parade, Commander SAFVC Colonel Mike Tan said their training has better prepared them to serve alongside regular and national servicemen in supporting roles and also allowed them a glimpse into the SAF experience.

"The SAFVC has taught you to be adaptive, respectful of others, more resilient and to better appreciate the sacrifices made by our NSmen, NSFs and regulars of the SAF to protect the sovereignty of our nation," said Colonel Tan.

MORE CHALLENGING THAN EXPECTED

Some volunteers went through a continuous two-week course, which they say was more challenging than expected but not beyond their capabilities.

"When it comes to physical training, yes they push you,” said SAFVC medical nurse Siti Khairunessa Abdul Kadir, age 31. “But for those who are a bit slower, they wait and we do it together. We leave no man behind."

Families and employers were also out in force to support them.

"This is a very, very busy time for us, and it was difficult to have a person short,” said International Medical Clinic general manager Elizabeth Cowle, who is Siti’s employer. "Siti is a nurse and a very valued member of the nursing team. However, when you weigh things up, this is more important."

Recruits unable to take the full two weeks off train on weekends instead and undergo a different set of challenges.

"My work in the office is quite busy, so I'm taking the modular training so there will be not much impact to the work,” said SAFVC auxiliary security trooper Chen Chang, who became a Singapore citizen in 2001. “However, training over the weekend is taxing on the family. I cannot go grocery shopping so family support is crucial.”

"Mondays to Fridays are fully on studies so when it comes to Saturdays, I'm totally a soldier,” said SAFVC infomedia staff member Laveniya Kathirasan, a 21-year-old Temasek Polytechnic student. “So it is two different occupations for me and it takes time for me to get into one mindset or the other."

CLOSER TIES WITH SINGAPORE

For some, this glimpse of the SAF experience has helped them forge closer ties with the nation and its citizens.

“Looking at a lot of my friends here in Singapore who have done it, who are operationally-ready NS men, or who have done their part, I think I'm closer to them now, of course,” said SAFVC auxiliary security trooper Philip Von Meyenburg, a 37-year-old who became a Permanent Resident in 2011.

“We joined the brotherhood, essentially, of the SAF and personally, I am planning to have kids in Singapore. So I can be a role-model for my kids.”

Speaking to media after the parade, Minister of State for Defence Maliki Osman said that it was very heartening to see the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

"We have experienced far from what we expected," he said. "Was the training tough? It was tough, it had to be tough. we wanted it to be tough. This was what they were asking for and I thought it was very encouraging to see Singaporeans, PRs from all walks of lives coming together."

Dr Maliki added that community support was important in facilitating volunteer participation in national defence. "Without the support of community members and the families of the volunteers, I think the volunteers themselves would not be able to perform their function as part of the volunteer corps," he said.

It has been 18 months since the announcement for the formation of the SAFVC was made in Parliament and over 1,000 applications were submitted. The 226 volunteers for 2015 exceed the SAF's original target of 150 SVs.

- CNA/ec
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singap...vc/1944666.html

can read more;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAF_Volunteer_Corps

usually those that hit major or ltc rank will be sent to mindef or as overseas attache for 1-2 years... those that gets send to mindef very lucky cause there're female dxos there... civilians in mindef... usually very hot

SAFVC = PR soldiers

Territorial Army (Wataniah)-type of army formation?

US Coast Guard helicopter crashes at San Francisco airport





[sos]

who will win .... later in afternoon will know.... i think obviously is boeing

South Korea is expected to announce the winner of their tanker competition Tuesday at a session of the National Defense Acquisition Program Committee meeting. The competition is to acquire four tanker aircraft and is between the KC-46, A330MRTT, and the B767MMTT.

It's believed to be a neck and neck competition between the KC-46 and A330.

This post has been edited by waja2000: Jun 30 2015, 12:09 PM

majority citizens ok la... ns also got pr kids what... went to their parade... a lot of old ahpek too.. 40+, some of them marathon runners... ask them do what, head of dept at hosp, md, ceo, manyzer.. their big cars merc bmw all take up parking space at ifv n apc parking...

from what i heard its between wataniah and rela... not as well trained as wataniah as they are not for combat... more of combat support... aka doctors, engineers, media staff, lawyers.. a huge chunk of them will be as security as key installations aka changi airport, tuas/woodlands immigration, army camps... etc etc

Another Eight Ships, Two Subs to Reinforce Russian Navy in 2015



The Russian Navy will receive eight warships and two submarines by the end of 2015 in accordance with the state arms procurement plan, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.

The two diesel-electric subs will join the ranks of the Black Sea Fleet. Among the eight ships, the minister mentioned the corvette Sovershenny (Perfect) and the first frigate Admiral Gorshkov.

Corvette Sovershenny, which floated out on May 22, is the first ship to join the Russian Pacific Fleet in the 21st century. It is a multirole guard vessel designed to combat an enemy's ships and submarines, as well as support marines with artillery.

The ship is armed with a complex of anti-ship missiles Uran (NATO name "Switchblade"), an air defense system Redoubt, three artillery cannons, eight torpedoes, and pads for machineguns and grenade launchers, and can carry one Ka-27 helicopter.

Frigate Admiral Gorshkov was launched in 2010. It will enter the service in the Northern Fleet. The frigate is armed with an A-192 130mm naval gun, launch units for 16 Oniks and Kalibr anti-ship missiles, an air defense system Redoubt, two close-in Palash weapon systems, as well as anti-ship missiles, and has a helipad for a Ka-27.

http://sputniknews.com/military/20150629/1023988986.html

This couple of months are really bad for military aviation. Today an Indonesian Air Force C-130 Hercules crashed in Medan.



http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/ar...jectid=11473561

^^^ Rest In Peace. Speedy recovery to the injured.

rip, too many military crashes these day looking at kypmbangi post

RIP..
good thing possible will get new one ......

Mali and Ghana purchases Embraer Super Tucano light attack aircraft



Embraer has confirmed it has received orders from Mali and Ghana for the purchase of six and five Embraer Super Tucano light attack aircraft for each country.

Although the sale is relatively small, it is notable as it increases the ties between the two countries, something highlighted by the statement of Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, that the sale is to "another important customer in Africa, where several countries already operate the Super Tucano."

Similarly, Tieman Coulibaly, Mali's defense minister, said he is "quite satisfied with the way our military and defense cooperation with the Federal Republic of Brazil is developing."

Meanwhile, Ghana has also joined the growing club of African Embraer Super Tucano operators after ordering five of the Brazilian light-attack turboprops for its air force.

In a 22 June statement, Embraer said the contract should come into effect later this year once “certain conditions have been fulfilled”. The deal provides aircraft as well as logistics support, and establishes a local training program for the pilots and mechanics in Ghana.

Embraer says Ghana intends to use the Super Tucanos for “advanced training, border surveillance and internal security missions”.

Not a good year for military aviation
RIP and condolences.

#BREAKING Death toll from Indonesian military plane crash rises to 38: Red Cross







This post has been edited by waja2000: Jun 30 2015, 05:15 PM