What is Total Defence
Total Defence involves every Singaporean playing a part, individually and collectively, to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation. When we are strong, we are able to deal with any crisis.
Last updated 14 July 2025
"A response where everyone plays a part "
What is Total Defence
When we are strong, we are able to respond to any crisis
As a small, multi-racial, multi-religious nation dependent on free trade to survive, and connected to the world by air, sea and the Internet, Singapore is inevitably affected by developments around the world in some way or another. Since its launch in 1984, Total Defence has rallied Singaporeans together in responding to challenges that threaten Singapore’s independence and well-being, such as terrorism, SARS and economic downturns. The core message is that every Singaporean has a part to play to help strengthen our defences against these threats and challenges.
Today we face new challenges from the digital domain that have no physical boundaries or battlefields. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and fake news are some of the ways that can now be used to divide and weaken us. We have thus added a sixth pillar of Digital Defence to the existing five pillars of Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Digital and Psychological Defence that explain the actions we can take to help us deal with the spectrum of military and non-military threats.
Our collective strength
Total Defence has seen us through SARS, the aftermath from the 9/11 attacks, the economic crises of 1997 and 2008, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has become a fundamental aspect of what makes us Singaporean and is shown in the things that we do on a daily basis – whether it is by fulfilling National Service duties, volunteering in Civil Defence activities, working hard and contributing to a strong economy, strengthening community ties with one another regardless of race and religion, practising good cyber hygiene and preventing the spread of deliberate online falsehoods, or staying committed to defending the country.
Our work in Total Defence is unceasing. When we understand our part in Total Defence, we will continue to strengthen ourselves, our community, and our nation.