Keynote Address by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad At the Young Defence Scientists Programme Congress 2026 On 28 Apr 2026 at the MBS Convention Centre

Board Members and Management of DSTA and DSO,

Principals and Teachers,

Proud Parents and of course, our Young Defence Scientists,

A very good afternoon to all of you.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this Congress of the Young Defence Scientists Programme, or YDSP. This event is especially meaningful as we get to meet the future scientists and engineers who will shape our nation's progress in the years to come.

Today, we celebrate curiosity, courage, and a conviction to step into new and complex problems, of which you know will be plenty. These are attributes our participants have demonstrated throughout this programme - attributes that we want to see in our youth: curious minds, exploratory attitudes and the ability to think critically about the future and what it means for them in time to come.

Contested Global Landscape

Our world today is more uncertain and contested than it was even a few years ago. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine remind us that peace is fragile. We are witnessing the widespread use of drones, cyberattacks, and autonomous systems. Technology is changing not only how wars are fought, but also how quickly conflicts can unfold and how much disruption this can cause, similar to what we are facing now in the Middle East conflict.

For a small country like Singapore, we cannot afford complacency. We do not have natural resources or strategic depth. What we have are our people and our ability to invest in them to harness technology effectively to meet our nation's needs.

Having a defence force that is strong, well-equipped, and well-trained, ready to defend against a spectrum of threats, is essential. Our strength is not just about numbers - it is also about constant adaptation and transformation to defend Singapore against new and varied types of threats. It is also important that we modernise and upgrade our capabilities, as well as maintain our technological edge and speed of innovation. In the past, we used to say that we must be able to see further, respond faster, and operate smarter. Now, we must also collaborate widely, think creatively, and adapt quickly. This is as things change, there are many unknowns and everyone is innovating very quickly. Across the Defence Science and Technology Agency, or DSTA, and DSO National Laboratories, engineers and scientists put these qualities into practice every day as they advance the technologies that keep Singapore safe and strong.

But sustaining this edge requires more than what we do today. It also means developing the next generation of scientists, thinkers and innovators who will carry this work forward.

The Purpose of YDSP

YDSP was created with a simple but important goal: to expose bright young minds to the rapidly evolving world of science and technology in defence. More than a programme, it reflects the long-standing commitment of DSTA and DSO to nurture the next generation of innovators, engineers, and scientists who will contribute to Singapore's defence.

Defence science is not just about equations or coding late into the night. It is about turning ideas into real solutions that protect our skies, land, seas, and cyberspace. It is about asking, "How can we do this better?" - and often times, "How can we do this differently or more effectively?"

Celebrating Achievements and Growth

Over the year, about 470 students from 19 schools have participated in various YDSP initiatives.

We had 87 students take part in Research@YDSP. For many of you, this was your first experience stepping into real labs, working alongside experienced engineers and scientists, and discovering that real-world problems and finding that they are often complex, yet interesting. You learned that innovation requires patience, teamwork, and sometimes the resilience and grit to try again, and try again, after something fails.

1. Take Arkin and Bernice, for example - two students who embarked on their Research@YDSP attachment at DSTA. Tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of a guidance method for drone interception, they could have stopped here. To investigate the effectiveness of a guidance method for drone interception is quite complex, and having two young kids working on it is amazing. But instead, what is even more amazing is that they chose to go further by asking: "Could the method be made more precise?" Encouraged by their mentor to explore boldly, even at the risk of failure, the students modified the algorithm and designed their own tests. They ran over 100 simulations, systematically varying the conditions to see how the method held up. Through this, they identified the strengths and limitations of the approach, and provided concrete, validated insights that would contribute to further developments in this area.

2. In another example, two students from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, Kabilan and Jonathan, worked under the mentorship of DSO's scientists to design and build a quantum magnetometer, which is quite advanced. These devices can detect extremely small changes in the Earth's magnetic field, which could one day enable navigation even in situations when GPS signals are absent. What is especially impressive is that the students didn't just build such a device - they observed an unusual phenomenon, which they modelled and validated through experimentation. Their work helps extend our understanding of quantum sensing, enabling the development of more compact and precise magnetic field sensors. We can imagine the advantage this could provide for future military operations.

Through the World of Science programme, we engaged 185 students in enrichment modules covering advanced topics. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Robotics and Quantum Technology, you were exposed to ideas that stretch beyond your school curriculum.

We also ran two specialised camps that reflect how modern defence is evolving.

1. First, at the AI in Cybersecurity camp, 95 students from 19 schools explored how AI can defend networks and detect threats. This is timely, as just a few weeks ago, Anthropic unveiled its Mythos model, which has upended the world once again with its ability to supercharge cyber-attacks that threaten many legacy systems. The cyber battle has moved beyond human speeds and is why we need to learn and use AI to stay ahead and defend against these threats.

2. The second was the Unmanned Naval Systems Camp, where 94 students from 19 schools explored how autonomous systems can enhance maritime security. Over five days, many took part in Naval Mission Challenges and built your own unmanned surface vessels, integrating sensors, control systems, and software into a functioning system. The experience gave you first-hand insights into how unmanned naval systems can contribute to Singapore's maritime defence.

The YDSP Community

These experiences show what YDSP is really about - opening doors and expanding horizons. They allow you to see that science and technology are not distant or abstract. They are powerful tools that can shape national security.

One of the most encouraging aspects of YDSP is something you may not immediately see - the strong community that has grown from this programme. Many former YDSP participants are now engineers, scientists, and leaders in our defence ecosystem. And they return to the programme - as mentors, speakers, and supervisors with one shared purpose - to guide the next generation of defence scientists and engineers. This "pay-it-forward" spirit is what makes YDSP special. Each generation benefits from those before them, and in turn supports those who come after. It is not just a programme, it is a growing community committed to advancing science and technology in service of Singapore.

With today's threats and tomorrow's challenges, we need this community more than ever.

Closing

I also want to say a word to the parents and teachers here today. Behind every student is a network of encouragement and support. Thank you for nurturing their curiosity, for putting up with the late nights before competitions, and perhaps for listening patiently to explanations about AI and quantum at the dinner table!

To our students: this Congress is not the end of our journey. It is the beginning of many possibilities.

Stay curious. Stay humble. Keep asking "why" and "why not." Technology advances because someone dares to ask the questions and test the assumptions.

Singapore's strength and resilience now and in the decades ahead will depend not only on policies and platforms, but on people - people who are willing to learn, be bold, and innovate. I hope that through YDSP, you are inspired to play a bigger part in shaping the future of Singapore's defence.

Congratulations once again to all our participants and scholars. I wish you an inspiring and enjoyable Congress.

Thank you very much.