Item category 2: POINTER Monthly Essays

In this essay, the author argues that currently, while there are limitations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) decision-making, it is too late to prohibit the use of autonomous technologies for future warfare. This is due to the potential of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) as the next Revolution i...

In this essay, the author is of the opinion that the proliferation of cheap weaponised drones is not merely an incremental tactical innovation. He believes that, it provides non-state actors with a precision capability impervious to most defences and, is capable of targeting any military asset. T...

In this article, the authors first accounted for how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have developed over time, before describing the current trends in the development of UAVs and the potential for UAVs in the modern context. The authors then discussed the various threats that UAVs pose to Singapo...

In this essay, the author argues for the proliferation of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) in projecting air power in 2035, and highlights the concerns involved. The author first describes the likely security landscape in the years ahead. Next, he goes on to highlight the trends of UCAVs an...

Unlike traditional warfare, with its defined enemies and objectives, grey zone conflicts are characterised by uncertainty, blurred boundaries, and the absence of clear adversaries. Such ambiguity can result in feelings of vulnerability, distrust, and paranoia among servicemen as they struggle to ...

Grey zone conflicts target the human psychology – actors understand and capitalise on the psychological dynamics of ambiguity and manipulation to sow discord, erode trust, and exploit vulnerabilities to achieve a strategic advantage. Our service personnel are prime targets for such operations of ...

In this essay, the author states that despite the increasing focus on irregular conflicts, today’s threat environment is really a hybrid of conventional and irregular warfare. In his opinion, small states need to retain the ability to deter and prevail in conventional conflict as their geostrateg...

This article offers readers a comprehensive introduction to the healthcare ecosystem of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The myriad lines of effort undertaken throughout the entire spectrum of operations ensure: 1) force health optimisation and protection, so that all SAF service personnel are o...

Mpox, a highly contagious disease that spreads from animals to humans, presents unique challenges for militaries due to its rapid transmission and potential to disrupt operations. In response to the global mpox outbreaks in 2022 and 2024, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) developed a phased approa...

In this essay, the author aims to discuss how China will embrace AI and Robotics to enhance its national security and how the security landscape will be affected by this pursuit. The author first identifies China’s national interests and examines how it will use AI and Robotics technologies to en...