Singapore will deploy planners in the next few months to support the multi-national coalition against the dreaded Islamic State terrorist group, the country's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has said.
The planners would be sent to the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Kuwait and the Combined Air Operations Centre in Qatar.
"At this early stage of our involvement, it is premature to determine if there will be further requests for greater support from Singapore to the coalition," Hen said yesterday.
Replying to a question on heightened risk for Singapore to deploy SAF personnel, Hen said it was impossible to guarantee there would be no attacks in the country.
Singapore would also send a pre-deployment site survey team to prepare for its subsequent deployment of a KC-135R tanker aircraft, as coordinated with the (CJTF).
Earlier in the last November, Hen had said Singapore would contribute a tanker aircraft for air-to-air refuelling and an imagery analysis team that would operate from surrounding countries alongside other coalition forces.
He, however, said that the country would not deploy any combat figures.
He had said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would send 50 to 60 personnel in all to support the coalition against the terror outfit.
Yesterday, he said the SAF had sent a needs assessment and survey team to the United States Central Command headquarters in Florida.
A liaison office has been attached to the centre since last month to facilitate planning and coordination for the SAF, reported The Straits Times today.
Hen also said the coalition's combined efforts were having an impact in the fight against the IS.
The planners would be sent to the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Kuwait and the Combined Air Operations Centre in Qatar.
"At this early stage of our involvement, it is premature to determine if there will be further requests for greater support from Singapore to the coalition," Hen said yesterday.
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The number of terrorist incidents had increased elsewhere, and it was 'well-nigh impossible' for any security force in any country to be able to monitor each and every citizen," he said, adding that if an attack occurred, Singaporeans must focus on strengthening the country's unity.
Replying to a question on heightened risk for Singapore to deploy SAF personnel, Hen said it was impossible to guarantee there would be no attacks in the country.
Singapore would also send a pre-deployment site survey team to prepare for its subsequent deployment of a KC-135R tanker aircraft, as coordinated with the (CJTF).
Earlier in the last November, Hen had said Singapore would contribute a tanker aircraft for air-to-air refuelling and an imagery analysis team that would operate from surrounding countries alongside other coalition forces.
He, however, said that the country would not deploy any combat figures.
He had said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would send 50 to 60 personnel in all to support the coalition against the terror outfit.
Yesterday, he said the SAF had sent a needs assessment and survey team to the United States Central Command headquarters in Florida.
A liaison office has been attached to the centre since last month to facilitate planning and coordination for the SAF, reported The Straits Times today.
Hen also said the coalition's combined efforts were having an impact in the fight against the IS.