By Zakaria Abdul Wahab, Bernama,
Singapore : Military officers need to acquire new skills to face the new challenges which are becoming more non-traditional in nature, according to Singapore’s Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean.
He said many of the new security challenges would be more complex and multi-faceted and in the increasingly interconnected world, threats could come from “360-degrees”, from unexpected sources and directions.
The minister cited the breakdown of computer and telecommunications networks, the disruption of financial transactions, outbreak of viral pandemics, illegal migration, maritime, energy, water and food security, and environmental hazards were some of the non-traditional challenges that could pose threats to many states.
Opening the 10th Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO) here today, Teo said the role of militaries in responding to non-traditional security challenges was proving increasingly critical.
He said while most militaries were not specifically equipped or trained to deal with non-traditional threats, militaries were often the only organisations able to respond to them rapidly and on the scale that was required.
Teo said military officers needed to develop the knowledge and capabilities beyond their primary military duties and be prepared to provide a response to these possible new threats.
Military officers needed to learn how to operate in a multilateral environment, he said, adding that whether it was to counter conventional threats, peace-keeping or disaster relief, they were more than likely to find themselves working with militaries and agencies from other countries.
The minister also said military officers needed to develop a broader strategic outlook on security issues because it was not enough with just knowing how to take action.
He said it would also be necessary to understand the political, historical and social context within which that action was taken.
With such an understanding, military officers were more likely to devise appropriate ways of working with each other to achieve their mission, added Teo.
Ultimately, he noted, the effectiveness of the regional security architecture and the cooperative efforts among countries would depend on the level of trust and understanding among the parties, often forged on the ground by military officers.