Transcript of Speech by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the 137/24 Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade on 14 June 2025, SAFTI Military Institute

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence,

Graduands of the 137/24 Officer Cadet Course,

Parents and Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.  A very good evening and congratulations to all the graduands and their families. The President typically attends the December commissioning, but I am proud to be here with you this evening – for the June commissioning – to recognise and honour the capability and commitment of officer cadets across different intakes. Every cohort contributes to the strength and spirit of the SAF.

2.  This parade marks an important milestone in your journey as officers. You have completed 38 weeks of rigorous training that was designed to develop the mettle in you and empower you as leaders – leaders who demonstrate resilience and inspire trust among your people.

3.  We live in a world of turmoil and conflict, with continued breaches of international law and unacceptable loss of human lives. At the same time, the global economy is fragmenting, with narrower and more nationalistic approaches to trade taking hold.

4.  For small nations like Singapore, this erodes the very foundations of our growth and security. Our ability to survive and thrive depends on staying open, connected and relevant. We must continue to work closely with like-minded partners, including those in the region, to uphold a rules-based order that safeguards the rights of states, large and small.

5.  I would like to recognise that today, we have four international cadets – one from Malaysia and three from Thailand – commissioning alongside you. Their presence is a reminder of the enduring friendships we share with our ASEAN neighbours. These bonds of trust and cooperation will become ever more vital in the years ahead.

6. Even as we build strong ties with our friends and neighbours, we must develop the means to defend and protect our way of life. The SAF continues to adopt a holistic approach to strengthen our defence. This year, all four services are enhancing their capabilities. Let me share some examples:

   1.        On land, the Army will introduce Titan, a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle, to boost combat effectiveness.

   2.        In the skies, our air force will receive the first batch of F-35s by 2026.

   3.         At sea, the Navy will receive its two additional Invincible-class submarines from 2034 and will launch its first Multi-Role Combat Vessel later this year.

   4.        In the digital domain, the Digital and Intelligence Service has established two new commands, the SAF C4 and Digitalisation Command and the Defence Cyber Command to address emerging threats.

7.  New technologies, including unmanned systems, are also becoming an integral part of the SAF’s operations. Today, autonomous surface vessels patrol our waters. And unmanned aerial systems are being integrated into our land, sea and air operations. 

8.  The SAF has also invested in new training infrastructure like the SAFTI City, which helps our officer cadets better understand the complexity of urban terrains. This has better prepared them for operations in built-up areas. Overseas, the expansion of Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, has allowed the SAF to conduct large-scale integrated exercises across the air, land, sea, and digital domains. Last year, the largest-ever Exercise Wallaby was conducted there, involving over 6,200 personnel, and 490 platforms.

9.  All of these efforts are critical to ensuring that the SAF remains ready, relevant and resolute for years to come.

10.  Ultimately, it will not be advanced technologies or the number of missions that determine your success. While the challenges you face may be different from those of previous generations of officers, some things remain constant and timeless - such as the values that will guide you and keep you strong, even as the world around us shifts.

11.  As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence, let us build on the strong foundations laid by our pioneers. Through each crisis, Singapore and Singaporeans have emerged stronger because we learned to adapt, stood shoulder to shoulder, and believed that our future was worth fighting for.

12.  To the instructors, thank you for mentoring the cadets through the highs and lows. To the families and loved ones gathered here, thank you for your patience and quiet support - whether it was a word of encouragement, a letter during field camp, or simply waiting for that weekly call. 

13.  To the 137/24 cohort, now Officers of the Singapore Armed Forces, may you lead with courage and serve with honour: To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome!

14. Thank you.