Foundations To Frontiers
As DSTA turns 25, we reflect on a journey that has shaped the evolution of the SAF to what it is today, as well as the strengthening of partnerships with public agencies, and the growth of our networks globally.
Beyond past achievements, we are excited for the next era of defence science and technology. From building up capabilities to driving bold innovations – our people continue to ensure Singapore’s defence remain robust, adaptive and future-ready.
We’ve Come A Long Way
At DSTA’s Inauguration Ceremony in March 2000, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan launched the DSTA logo which reflects innovation, creativity and strong partnership with MINDEF and the SAF.
The Government Electronic Business (GeBIZ) of Singapore was developed by DSTA in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and then Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. GeBIZ was launched in 2000 as a one-stop public sector-wide e-procurement portal.
Delivered by DSTA in 2000, the Air C2 Hub was developed to track aircraft around Singapore airspace and provide warning on suspicious aircraft. By processing large amounts of information from various radar and other systems, it was able to leverage its built-in tools to facilitate decision-making for the RSAF.
The Army’s first Bronco was delivered by DSTA in 2001. It can haul five tonnes of cargo over rugged terrain, negotiate inland waterways such as rivers and still maintain a light ground pressure.
DSTA harnessed virtual reality and computer-based imagery to provide realistic military training, which included the Driver Training Simulator System rolled out in 2001.
The Singapore Assault Rifle 21 (SAR 21) was customised to suit the typical build of Singaporeans. DSTA’s engineers also designed the SAR 21 to be integrated with a Laser Aiming Device that would not only further boost accuracy and performance, but also improve the soldier’s response when engaging targets at night.
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The Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) was built to transport heavy equipment to and from overseas training areas. As the overall programme manager, DSTA equipped the LSTs with innovative features which helped to reduce the number of people required to operate it from 130 to 65.
DSTA was the first in Singapore to implement the Partial Depth and Louvred Breakwater – a cost-effective method to create a calm basin for ship berthing at Changi Naval Base. The team’s creative use of indirect seawater cooling and thermal ice-storage also conserved water and reduced utility costs.
In 2003, DSTA introduced the demand aggregation initiative. This collaborative approach in the procurement of common goods and services has since become the norm for the public sector in Singapore.
Under the Peace Carvin IV programme, 20 Block 52 F-16D+ aircraft were acquired in the early 2000s, allowing the RSAF to have one of the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter jets then.
DSTA, with ST Electronics, turned thermal imagers from military systems into the world’s first infrared-based system for mass fever screening during the SARS crisis. Within a week, the Infrared Fever Screening System (IFss) was deployed at the airport and checkpoints to carry out efficient, non-intrusive mass temperature screening for travellers. The IFss was listed as one of the coolest inventions in 2003 by Time Magazine.
Watch a video
To overcome the shortfall of essential protective equipment during the SARS pandemic, DSTA procurement staff reached out to their global network of suppliers to purchase critical medical supplies. The team also bought fluid-repellent fabric and distributed them to garment factories to manufacture gowns instead of buying them from major exporters.
To boost the effectiveness of higher headquarters activities (e.g. airspace management and missions planning), DSTA and ST Electronics co-developed an innovative Enterprise Command and Control Information System that allowed greater flexibility and information sharing.
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In 2004, the first air base designed and developed locally to support the RSAF’s training and operations for fighter aircraft was unveiled. DSTA incorporated the latest technologies and innovative engineering solutions into the Changi Air Base (East).
In 2004, DSTA designed and developed the MATADOR, delivering the world’s first anti-armour weapon system with a dual-capability warhead that could defeat armoured vehicles and breach brick walls.
View news release
Through the creative use of cognitive sciences in the design of man-machine interface, DSTA developed a decision support system that allowed commanders to make decisions more efficiently for the tasking of weapon platforms and surveillance devices.
Commissioned in 2005, the Pegasus is the world’s first heli-transportable and self-propelled lightweight 155mm howitzer. Developed by DSTA and ST Kinetics, it was designed indigenously as no system in the industry could meet the Army’s requirements then.
View news release
DSTA collaborated with a French shipbuilder to construct six stealth frigates. Under the agreement, DCN would design and build the first ship RSS FORMIDABLE while the others would be built locally. RSS FORMIDABLE sailed through challenging sea conditions in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans before reaching Singapore in 2005.
MissionMate was developed for a series of important experiments with the Army and the RSAF to test new concepts and break new ground in command and control. In developing this system, DSTA harnessed cutting-edge technologies to enhance virtual collaboration, decision making, and information management.
As opposed to the traditional method of leasing connectivity to support the SAF’s operations, DSTA designed a broadband transmission network which tapped the extensive fibre infrastructure of telecommunications providers which achieved cost avoidance. The network was delivered in 2005.
DSTA developed Command and Control Information Systems to enable greater knowledge sharing and enhanced sense-making among troops. Commanders can also access information for better decision making in a shorter time.
Besides delivering a mightier punch of firepower, the Bionix II unveiled in 2006 offered better crew protection and was equipped with a Battlefield Management System to enhance its networked capabilities. DSTA had worked closely with the Army and ST Engineering on upgrading the Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
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With the floating platform and seating gallery delivered by DSTA in 2007, the multi-purpose facility at Marina Bay was transformed into spectacular stage displays during national events.
The Underground Ammunition Facility is the world’s first underground containerised facility built within a densely developed and urbanised area. The successful design and development of the facility by DSTA set new safety standards for safe underground ammunition storage which have since been adopted by NATO.
Watch a video
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DSTA embarked on a programme in 2007 to acquire the services of MV SWIFT RESCUE, the RSN’s first Submarine Support and Rescue Vessel, as well as the submersible rescue vessel Deep Search and Rescue 6 in the form of a public-private partnership between MINDEF and ST Marine.
Learn how the vessel provides a lifeline
DSTA played a key role in the rigorous evaluation process that lasted over four years before the contract was awarded to acquire the F-15SG in 2005. DSTA’s management team attended the first F-15SG roll-out ceremony in USA, 2008.
The G550-Airborne Early Warning aircraft was equipped with sophisticated systems, including the Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar and an improved Command and Control System. DSTA engineers modified a business jet into a surveillance platform to detect, identify and track aerial targets with precision.
View news release
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Upon identifying a capable Main Battle Tank (MBT) which was acquired by the Army, DSTA continued to introduce upgrades to the MBT, eventually developing an indigenous Leopard 2SG in 2010. Its networked capabilities have paved the way for the Army’s transformation into an advanced, network-centric fighting force.
DSTA provided round-the-clock engineering support for the Army’s 15-month deployment of the weapon locating radar in Afghanistan. Several innovative engineering solutions were implemented to sustain the radar’s operations over an extended deployment period in a harsh desert environment.
Six S-70B naval helicopters were integrated successfully with the Formidable-class stealth frigates in 2012 by DSTA, enhancing the RSN’s ability to defend Singapore’s vital sea lines of communication, and undertake a wide spectrum of missions. Prior to that, the team carried out rigorous evaluation to verify the naval helicopters’ capabilities.
DSTA College was transformed into DSTA Academy in 2012. DSTA Academy roped in engineering professionals and subject matter experts from the organisation to deliver customised training programmes to pass on key knowledge and experiences relevant to staff and the rest of the Defence Technology Community.
Developed by DSTA engineers, the Optimised Decisions in Networks tool enhanced network resiliency and optimised resource requirements to ensure overall mission readiness.
Beyond playing a key role in acquisition management, systems development and equipping, the team broke new ground in developing the Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle’s Ground Control Station software and datalink system, enhancing the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability of the RSAF.
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Developed by DSTA in partnership with the Army, the Multi-Mission Range Complex is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It provides the SAF with a one-stop marksmanship training centre that enables realistic scenario-based training.
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DSTA was appointed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force as the technical consultant for developing the Advanced C3 (Command, Control and Communications) Emergency System. The system, which allowed firefighters to view live footage of blazes before reaching the scene among other features, became fully operational in 2013.
Inspired by the efficiency and effectiveness of automotive assembly lines, a DSTA team delivered a fully automated Airborne-Trooper Training Facility to enable efficient airborne trooper training in any weather and at any time. This was a first-of-its-kind training facility in the world.
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As the designated Centre of Excellence for Command, Control and Communications (C3) in the public service, DSTA plays a leading role in driving and developing C3 capabilities across the SAF and other public agencies, and to deliver capabilities beyond defence.
The Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) marked a major step forward in designing vessels for the RSN’s needs. Launched in 2015, DSTA implemented a new concept of an Integrated Command Centre, which co-located the main operating centres of the ship, to achieve lean manning.
View fact sheet
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To bring all staff under one roof for greater synergy and innovation, a 12-storey extension block, whose design and build was undertaken by DSTA staff, was constructed next to the Defence Technology Tower A at Depot Road, to transform it seamlessly into a single DSTA integrated complex. The complex was opened officially in 2016.
The MINDEF Bug Bounty Programme – an idea seeded by DSTA – was first conducted in 2018 to test and enhance the security of Internet-facing defence systems. Embracing a crowdsourcing construct from international ethical hackers, the programme provided an alternative and independent resource to complement in-house vulnerability assessments.
View fact sheet
In 2018, DSTA organised the inaugural Singapore Defence Technology Summit (SDTS), a gathering of global thought leaders from defence, security establishments, academia, as well as industry partners to network, confer, and collaborate in defence and security capabilities.
View fact sheet
SDTS in 2025
A DSTA team augmented the hypobaric chamber to enable better training realism and enhance system safety. The modernised chamber simulates a mask-on hypoxia training scenario where trainees would be exposed to reduced oxygen concentration levels at simulated hypoxic altitudes directly and unknowingly.
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Working with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and the Ministry of Finance, DSTA developed a structured Procurement Training Programme for the Public Service, covering key aspects of procurement policy, theory, practitioners’ perspectives and best practices.
To provide realistic integrated crew training even on land, DSTA and RSN conceptualised the Littoral Mission Vessel Simulation Centre. Using simulation technology, the centre puts crew through a range of operational scenarios such as harsh weather conditions, system malfunctions, and high traffic in congested waters.
Read about the RSS Daring
As Singapore’s first fully digitalised Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV), the Hunter AFV features an augmented reality-enabled C2 system for crew to plan their missions digitally, control combat systems, and monitor the vehicle’s health. It was developed by DSTA, in collaboration with the Army and ST Engineering.
View fact sheet
DSTA oversaw the acquisition of the F-15SG Air Mission Trainer, a high-fidelity simulator that mirrors the capabilities of the actual F-15SG aircraft. It is capable of simulating a wide-range of scenarios, from various operating conditions to aircraft emergencies, for single and multi-aircraft training.
A key part of DSTA’s C3 strategy for the Public Service to deliver cross-agency collaboration capability, the Crisis Information Management System provided an integrated awareness and common collaboration workspaces for incident management.
DSTA launched the inaugural BrainHack in 2019. Today, BrainHack combines hands-on training and team competitions in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, extended reality, coding and space tech, and is attended by over 4,000 students.
View last year’s highlights
Harnessing the power of science and technology, DSTA stood together with the rest of Singapore to fight and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Teams worked with speed and agility to devise solutions and adopt digital technology in pandemic planning and response. These include:
Assessing food security
Boosting situational awareness
Housing migrant workers
Procuring for safe and swift swabbing
Supporting national testing needs
The Cyber Security Operations Centre (CyberSOC) 2.0 has enhanced MINDEF’s and the SAF’s ability to monitor, detect, analyse and respond to cyber incidents. The DSTA team developed and integrated advanced artificial intelligence techniques, custom sensors and cyber analytics into the system, enabling it to pick up anomalies and potential threats.
Learn more about CyberSOC 2.0
To enhance the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s operational needs, DSTA conceptualised and proposed a holistic suite of C3 capabilities for the Integrated Checkpoint Operating Nexus (ICON). In 2022, ICON was commissioned at Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints with enhanced tactical, sense-making and decision support tools.
By adopting a systems architecting approach to study new network-centric concepts and leveraging in-house engineering capabilities, DSTA conceived the Third Generation Island Air Defence system, which networks sensor and weapon systems to work together. This allows the RSAF to see further and respond more rapidly against aerial threats.
View news release
In line with MINDEF’s digital and data transformation plans, DSTA delivered the MINDEF Commercial Cloud, which facilitates on-demand resource availability. With the cloud, MINDEF can explore new operational capabilities as well as harness artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the decision-making process for greater mission effectiveness.
Jointly developed by DSTA, the RSN, and a local video game developer, Admiral’s Battlegrounds is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena naval warfare game that allows naval officers to translate theoretical concepts into game strategies, and try out different tactics and manoeuvres.
Watch Mothership take on DSTA and RSN
DSTA set up the Imagine Future Centre (IFC) - a collaborative space allowing technologists and operators to develop new warfighting concepts and solutions for next-generation systems together. To enable experimentation and exploration of emerging technologies, DSTA equipped the IFC with a variety of IT hardware and software.
Learn more about the IFC
DSTA engineers evaluated new warfighting concepts at Exercise Forging Sabre 2023. These included deploying autonomous robot dogs to perform reconnaissance missions, and fielding autonomous drone swarm prototype for surveillance purposes.
Read about the tests here
DSTA spearheaded the system design and managed the overall development of the Next Generation Army Command and Control Information System. The system reduces the battle procedure planning effort and shortens the decision process significantly for the Army through timely distribution of critical data and use of smart algorithms and automation.
View fact sheet
Achieving full operational capability in 2023, the Aster 30 missile system is an all-weather, next generation medium-range surface-to-air missile acquired and integrated into the wider Island Air Defence system by DSTA engineers.
The missile system is capable of engaging multiple air threats simultaneously at a longer range and with greater precision.
View fact sheet
DSTA partnered the Singapore Prison Service and Home Team Science and Technology Agency to refresh and transform the security system of a prison institution. This includes implementing a comprehensive video surveillance system for Changi Prison Complex to enhance operational effectiveness and optimise resource deployment.
The first two Invincible-class submarines were commissioned in 2024. Larger, more advanced and uniquely Singapore, they are testament to DSTA’s submarine engineering capabilities. The new submarines feature advanced combat systems and enhanced sensors for improved mission capabilities and wider area awareness.
View news release
In collaboration with Home Team Science and Technology Agency, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Penguin Shipyard International, DSTA delivered the 2nd generation marine rescue vessel – boosting SCDF’s marine rescue and firefighting capabilities with advanced features like early chemical, biological, and radiological detection, and a sonar-equipped rigid hull inflatable boat for shallow water operations.
A new Light Machine Gun (LMG) was delivered to the SAF in 2024, to replace the Section Automatic Weapon Ultimax 100. Working with the Army, DSTA engineers conducted market surveys, trial assessments and technical evaluations of various weapons before identifying Colt Manufacturing’s LMG as the most suitable option.
Learn more about the LMG
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Honouring Contributions: DSTAppreciation Week24 Jan 2025A week-long celebration recognising the hard work and commitment of the people behind DSTA. View Album |