Rank #27 · Asia-Pacific
Singapore spent $17.4B on defense in 2025, approximately 3.0% of GDP — the highest defense burden in Southeast Asia and among the highest per-capita figures globally. The FY2025 MINDEF budget rose 12.4% nominally to S$23.4B, funding F-35B/A acquisitions, Type 218SG submarines, and an expanding cyber/digital force.
Singapore's FY2025 MINDEF budget reached S$23.4B (~US$17.7B), a 12.4% nominal increase announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on March 3, 2025. Singapore commits to roughly 3% of GDP, capped at 6% of total government spending, with the explicit aim of avoiding sudden ramps. Procurement is concentrated on the F-35 fleet (12 F-35Bs plus 8 F-35As ordered), Type 218SG Invincible-class submarines (4 in service or delivering through 2028), and the Hunter AFV. Personnel costs are moderated by the National Service conscription model. GlobalData projects Singapore defense spending will reach US$21.6B by 2030.
The Singapore Armed Forces field roughly 51,000 active personnel — including ~32,000 conscripts (Full-time National Servicemen) — backed by an Operationally Ready NSmen reserve of approximately 250,000 (the largest mobilizable force in the region by population share). Services: Army (with armored, artillery, and combat-engineer brigades), Navy (Independence-class littoral mission vessels, Formidable-class frigates, Type 218SG submarines), Air Force (F-15SG, F-16C/D Block 52+, F-35B/A coming, G550 AEW&C, Heron UAVs), and the Digital and Intelligence Service (established 2022 as the fourth service). First F-35B deliveries scheduled for late 2026.
ST Engineering — formed from the merger of ST Aerospace, ST Electronics, ST Kinetics and ST Marine — is Singapore's indigenous defense champion. Products include the Bionix and Hunter armored fighting vehicles, Terrex 8x8, SAR-21 rifle, Endurance/Endeavour-class landing platforms, and Bronco all-terrain carrier (sold to the UK as Warthog). ST Engineering is a global top-50 defense contractor by revenue. Despite this, Singapore is structurally a net importer of major aerospace platforms (F-15, F-16, F-35), submarines (German TKMS Type 218SG), and high-end munitions. Israel is a long-standing supplier of UAVs, missiles, and EW systems.
Singapore has no active conflict but its strategic geography makes it a chokepoint state: the Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait carry roughly 30% of global maritime trade and 80% of China's oil imports. Singapore is a Major Security Cooperation Partner of the United States and hosts US Navy logistics support facilities at Changi Naval Base; the USS Carl Vinson and other carriers regularly call. Singapore monitors PLA activity, conducts joint exercises with the US (CARAT), Australia, India, and FPDA partners, and is increasing investment in cyber and counter-drone capability.
On April 27, 2026 SIPRI placed Singapore's 2025 spending at $17.4B. The FY2025 MINDEF budget rose 12.4% nominally per Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen's March 3, 2025 statement. Singapore confirmed acquisition of an additional 8 F-35A in 2024 on top of the existing F-35B order; first F-35B deliveries scheduled for late 2026. The Digital and Intelligence Service achieved full operational capability in 2025. The fourth Type 218SG submarine, Inimitable, was launched in late 2025 by TKMS in Kiel. Singapore continued joint exercises with the US Pacific Fleet through 2025-2026 and hosted the May 2025 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.
Singapore spent $17.4B on defense in 2025 — about 3.0% of GDP, capped at no more than 6% of total government spending. The FY2025 MINDEF budget of S$23.4B was a 12.4% nominal increase, funding F-35 acquisitions and the Digital and Intelligence Service.
Singapore ordered 12 F-35B (STOVL) aircraft and an additional 8 F-35A (CTOL) variants confirmed in 2024 — totaling 20 F-35s. First F-35B deliveries are scheduled for late 2026, replacing the F-16C/D Block 52+ fleet over the following decade.
Total Defence is Singapore's six-pillar national resilience framework: Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Psychological, and (added 2019) Digital Defence. It frames national service, infrastructure preparedness, social cohesion, and cyber resilience as integral to security in a small city-state.
Yes. All able-bodied male citizens and second-generation permanent residents are required to perform two years of Full-time National Service in the SAF, Singapore Police Force, or Singapore Civil Defence Force, followed by reservist obligations as Operationally Ready NSmen until age 40 (or 50 for officers).