DPM Heng Swee Keat at the Singapore Defence Technology Summit 2025
Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the Singapore Defence Technology Summit 2025 on 19 March 2025.
Senior defence officials
Ladies and gentlemen
I warmly welcome all of you — leaders, innovators, and experts from around the world to the Singapore Defence Technology Summit, to exchange ideas and forge new partnerships. Your presence signals our global commitment to harnessing technology properly, to advance our security and build a shared future.
I last addressed this Summit in 2021, amid global disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, we explored the need to strengthen national and supply chain resilience, and to leverage technology to build adaptive capacity.
These challenges remain as relevant today as they were then. Our ability to adapt, innovate and forge partnerships has never been more critical. I commend the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) for organising this biennial Summit.
Understanding the Uncertainties of Tomorrow
This year’s theme, “Navigating an Uncertain Tomorrow: Technology & Partnership”, is particularly fitting, and reflects the dual imperatives of our time. Threats continue to proliferate, testing the resilience of nations and the stability of global security, while technology advances relentlessly. We gather here not only to discuss the challenges we face, but to shape the future of national and global security through technology and collaboration, and build a safer, more resilient world for future generations.
Across geopolitics, global security, and technology, we are witnessing fundamental shifts that challenge long-held assumptions and demand new approaches to defence and stability.
Geopolitical Complexity and Great-Power Competition
The global geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly complex. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now entering its fourth year, continues to impact global and security architectures. In the Middle East, instability and regional conflicts persist. The strategic contestation between superpowers grows more pronounced in an increasingly multi-polar world, further underscoring the unpredictability of our times.
Strategic competition between the US and China, and the policies of the new Trump administration, will continue to redefine the global trade and security landscape. Renewed tariffs and trade tensions risk further economic fragmentation, challenging supply chains and global stability.
The Changing Nature of Warfare
Parallel to these geopolitical shifts, the nature of warfare has fundamentally changed. Today’s security threats are not solely conventional military challenges. We are seeing the rise of asymmetric threats enabled by dual-use technologies—where innovations meant for civilian use can also serve disruptive military purposes. These include cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled disinformation campaigns and the use of autonomous, unmanned systems in contested environments. To counter and defend against these threats, our defences must be vigilant, innovative and agile, by similarly exploiting and adapting to emerging technologies and new tech capabilities.
The Technological Revolution and Its Disruptions
The accelerated pace of technological advancement has also irrevocably reshaped our security landscape. Emerging fields such as AI, quantum technologies, and cyber capabilities are evolving rapidly, offering both unprecedented opportunities and risks.
At the same time, we are witnessing a growing contestation over technology. Nations are implementing tighter export controls and adopting increasingly protectionist policies. Nationalism in technology development is straining supply chains that have not yet fully recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic. These developments raise critical questions about access, collaboration, and the long-term sustainability of global technological progress.
Navigating Uncertainties Through Technology and Partnership
To navigate these uncertainties - geopolitical complexity, the changing nature of warfare, and the accelerating pace of technological advancements - nations and defence establishments must adapt quickly. We must recognise that while uncertainty is a challenge, it also presents an opportunity— to innovate, to build resilience, and to strengthen partnerships.
To advance security and stability, technology must be harnessed not to widen vulnerabilities, but to mitigate them. Defence organisations must integrate cutting-edge innovations rapidly, tightening the coordination between operations and technological development. This means accelerating ops-tech cycles, while committing to the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies. The defence technology community must find new ways to collaborate through deepening partnerships—across borders, sectors, and disciplines—to fully harness the potential of emerging technologies.
The Role of Technology: Opportunities & Risks
I will share my thoughts on Singapore’s approach to technology development that can be anchored by three Ps: Progress, Protect, and Partner.
Progress: Unlocking the Power of Emerging Technologies
Firstly, Progress—to remain competitive and secure, Singapore is committed to exploring growth opportunities and building talents in emerging and transformative technologies. Exploiting such technological advancements will create new possibilities across multiple domains—ranging from the digital economy to national security—allowing us to remain adaptable, secure, and future-ready.
One area of significant progress is AI. AI is revolutionising the way we create content and make decisions. AI-driven insights are optimising operations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and urban planning. Generative AI, in particular, has made tremendous progress in recent years, with useful applications in many industries. The defence arena is also experiencing a paradigm shift, with AI developments such as autonomous drones and AI-powered cybersecurity systems, enhancing situational awareness and enabling faster, more informed responses to emerging threats.
To strengthen our AI capabilities, Singapore has launched the National AI Strategy 2.0. As part of our R&D investments, $120 million has been set aside for an “AI for Science” initiative, to support our universities and our research institutes to better use AI for their R&D work. This investment will drive AI innovations, and push the frontiers of AI research and applications. Since the launch of our inaugural AI Strategy in 2019, more than S$500 million has been invested in R&D through our national programme - AI Singapore. Last year, AI Singapore, in collaboration with MINDEF, set up a S$20 million grant to develop innovative AI solutions in self-driving vehicles and material research for military and commercial applications.
These efforts are, in fact, part of our larger Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Plans administered under the National Research Foundation (NRF), which I chair. In the current RIE2025 Plan, covering the years 2021 to 2025, we have allocated S$28 billion to support research and promote innovation. We are now working on RIE2030, where we aim to enhance applied AI research and use cases in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, transport, and a whole range of others. We will also develop large-scale, cross-cutting R&D programmes called Flagships and Grand Challenges to spur all industry players to innovate, produce new products and services, and advance key economic areas, and to address national challenges. Our first Flagship programme is on advancing our semi-conductor and microelectronics R&D. And our first Grand Challenge, is on productive and healthy longevity as the world ages.
Last year, as part of our RIE2025 Plan, NRF Singapore also launched the National Quantum Strategy, committing S$300 million to drive advancements in quantum research, engineering and talent development, as well as to build a vibrant quantum industry. On quantum sensing, MINDEF, in partnership with the National Quantum Office, will be establishing a Quantum Sensing Centre to foster global collaboration and advanced research to realise quantum sensors.
In our increasingly digital world, robust cybersecurity measures are essential. Cybersecurity remains a national priority. To this end, we have launched the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Masterplan 2.0 in 2024 to strengthen our cyber resilience in critical digital infrastructure, which includes defence and national security systems, and ensures that it remains protected from cyber threats. The masterplan also introduced forward-looking strategies such as “secure-by-deployment” approach to ensure cybersecurity from design to deployment.
Protect: Safeguarding Trust and Security in a Digital Age
The second “P” is to Protect, which refers to safeguarding trust and security in a digital age. While technology presents tremendous opportunities, it also introduces risks that must be carefully managed. Emerging technologies can be misused to erode trust, disrupt societies, and create security risks. Singapore is taking proactive steps to address these challenges through governance frameworks, responsible innovations, and international collaborations. By building trust in technology and mitigating risks, we can ensure that innovation remains a force for progress while safeguarding the security and stability of both civilian and defence ecosystems.
The rapid spread of misinformation, particularly through AI-generated content, poses a serious challenge to societal trust and national stability. On AI governance, Singapore hosted the 2023 Singapore Conference on AI for the Global Good, which brought together diverse experts to discuss AI’s ethical and societal implications. Building on these discussions, our Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) partnered tech non-profit Humane Intelligence to run the world’s first multicultural and multilingual AI, a safety red-teaming exercise with nine Asia-Pacific countries in 2024. This year, IMDA will partner the AI Verify Foundation to launch the AI Assurance Pilot, a global initiative to codify testing norms for Generative AI applications in areas such as healthcare and finance.
We should be mindful of the unintended consequences of autonomous technologies. While they were developed to enhance productivity and safety, AI-powered autonomous systems in both civilian and defence applications must be designed with safeguards to ensure ethical, transparent, and accountable decision-making. For example in defence, DSTA is working closely with leading industry partners, universities and research institutes to establish rigorous verification and validation frameworks for newly developed AI-enabled autonomous systems. This ensures that we embrace innovation in a manner that is both responsible and secure.
As our reliance on digital infrastructure grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks. Recent amendments to our Cybersecurity Act in 2024 have strengthened the protection of our Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), which includes both public and private-sector digital assets critical to Singapore’s national resilience.
To hone our whole-of-government cyber capabilities, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore co-organises the yearly Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) with the Singapore Armed Forces’ Digital and Intelligence Service, to strengthen our ability to detect and manage cybersecurity threats that disrupt the operations of critical infrastructure. CIDeX 2024 was the first national cyber defence exercise to include a Cloud testbed with live AI models for cyber defender training. This year, the Singapore Cyber Security Agency will unveil guidelines to help businesses transition to quantum-safe systems, ensuring that our digital defences evolve in step with emerging threats.
Partner – Building Effective Partnerships for a Resilient Future
The third “P” is to Partner. It underscores the imperative to foster effective partnerships to build a resilient future. Technology should be a force that unifies, not divide. It is an enabler of security and stability, rather than a tool for exploitation or conflict.
As technology continues to reshape our world, one truth remains clear: no country can navigate these changes alone. Our collective response to today’s challenges will determine whether technology strengthens global resilience or exacerbates vulnerabilities.
Strengthening Multilateral Defence Technology Governance
As technological advancements blur the lines between civilian and military applications, strong governance frameworks are essential to ensuring responsible and ethical use. Singapore is committed to working with international partners to shape these frameworks and promote responsible technology development.
Following the first Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit in 2023 (or REAIM in short), Singapore co-hosted the second REAIM Summit and REAIM Asian Regional Consultations in 2024, bringing together global leaders, experts and stakeholders to discuss military AI governance and ensure that technological advances are aligned with global security norms. Additionally, Singapore had recently co-sponsored a new UN General Assembly Resolution on Military AI, supporting international efforts to strengthen norms for the safe, ethical, and transparent use of AI in defence.
Platforms such as this Singapore Defence Technology Summit and the Shangri-La Dialogue also serve as useful multilateral forums for dialogues, and fostering partnerships across governments, industries and academia. These forums are instrumental in driving collective progress and ensuring that technology serves as a tool for peace rather than a source of division.
Public-Private Partnerships: Driving Innovation and Resilience
Another aspect of partnership is in the Public-private partnership. Now, this is also key to developing a resilient dual-use innovation ecosystem—one that accelerates cost-effective solutions, strengthens supply chains, and promotes technological breakthroughs. Singapore is taking steps to foster such partnerships in our tech start-up ecosystem. For example, Singapore’s economic agencies are launching Stage One, a new one-stop platform connecting local and global start-ups in defence and emerging technologies with industry leaders, to drive opportunities for innovation partnerships. Global corporates, investors and innovators can come to Singapore to find the best technologies and exciting start-ups from around the world.
To support this, we have provided a $440 million top-up to the Startup SG Equity Scheme last year, catalysing venture capital investments into Singapore-based deep-tech start-ups in emerging technology areas, including quantum and space. To date, close to $3 billion has been invested in over 330 start-ups under the scheme. Our defence eco-system has worked closely with some of these companies, such as SpeQtral on quantum key distribution, MooVita on autonomous vehicles, and BeeX on underwater autonomy. This underscores the importance of the defence eco-system in harnessing innovations from commercial tech and start-ups.
At the heart of all these efforts is a fundamental principle: technology must serve the common good. A shared vision—where technology not only enhances the readiness of national defence capabilities but also reinforces peace and stability—is crucial for shaping the future. The choices we make today, the partnerships we build, and the governance frameworks we establish will define how technology impacts global security for generations to come.
Conclusion – Embracing the Future Together
In closing, we must continue to progress, protect and partner. Singapore remains steadfast in our commitment to facilitating innovations and partnerships to advance global security.
This summit is more than just an exchange of ideas—it is an opportunity to forge new connections, explore bold solutions, and push the boundaries of what is possible. I encourage all of you to engage actively, collaborate openly, and challenge conventional thinking. Together, we can address the evolving security landscape, ensuring that technology and partnerships remain the bedrock of peace, security, and resilience.
This year is also especially significant for Singapore. 2025 marks 60 years of our independence, as a nation. It is also a landmark year for our defence sector, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Singapore Armed Forces and the 25th anniversary of the DSTA, who has brought us together for this summit. As we celebrate these milestones, we must also look ahead—to the next 60 years and beyond.
Going forward, we must ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want to build? One defined by division and self-interest, or one driven by peace and collaboration? One marked by risk, or one forged by resilience?
I believe the answer is clear. Together, through technology and partnerships, we can transform uncertainty into opportunity and create a thriving digital future for all. Let us seize this moment. Let us build for the next generation. And let us work together towards a world that is more secure, more innovative, and more united. I wish everyone a fruitful summit ahead. Thank you.
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