Singapore announces 6.5% increase in 2022 defence budget

Singapore has announced a 2022 defence budget of SGD16.36 billion (USD12.16 billion), a nominal increase of SGD1 billion or 6.5% over the allocation in 2021.

The 2022 allocation includes SGD15.76 billion for operations, with SGD15.71 billion of this funding appropriated for “military expenditure”. This represents a year-on-year increase of 6.5%.

The remainder of spending, SGD600.7 million, is appropriated for development expenditure, an increase of 7.7% compared with 2021.

According to the government, military expenditure includes payments for the purchase of military equipment, its maintenance, and military salaries.

It said funding for development expenditure increased because of higher construction requirements, including projects previously delayed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government provided no additional details about its defence spending plans in 2022.