Quora Answer: Why Does Singapore Need So Many Troops to Defend a Tiny Island?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Why does Singapore needs so many troops to defend a tiny island, while bigger countries like Malaysia have lesser troops?  Are there not going to be a congestion in deploying so many troops in the island?”

The Singapore Armed Forces is not a defensive force.  They are an offensive force to seize territory and create strategic depth in the event of war, through pre-emptive strike.  This also explains the high rate of mechanisation, and the large lift capability of the air force and navy.  Further to that, a large proportion of the SAF is not based in Singapore, but in overseas bases, within striking distance of potential belligerents.  They include Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Taiwan, around the region.  Additionally, there are training detachments in the US, UK, and elsewhere.

In contrast, Malaysia actually needs a larger military to defend its land borders, and secure it maritime exclusive economic zone, and littoral waters.  This has been limited by a smaller budget, a weaker economy, and corruption.  This has lead to a disproportionate balance of forces.  That difference in size, along with the technology gap, means that Malaysia is woefully unprepared for any conflict with its neighbours, whether Indonesia, Thailand or Singapore.  It could conceivably fare well against the Philippines, in their disputed border in East Malaysia.  However, the lack of adequate lift capability by both sides means that it would be a stalemate as they stare at each other across the Sulu Sea.