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The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) is the digital service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for providing military intelligence to the armed forces, building up the country’s digital defence capabilities, and protecting the psychological defence of its military personnel. It was established on 28 October 2022, in response to the increased number of attacks by non-state actors, and the damage resulting from Russo-Ukrainian cyberwarfare.

History

DIS was first announced on 2 March 2022 by Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen during the Budget 2022 debate. In his speech, Ng highlighted the increase in attacks by non-state actors and resulting damage from the Russo-Ukrainian cyberwarfare to justify the necessity of a dedicated service branch to deal with hybrid warfare.[2] The DIS was compared by The Straits Times with its closest existing equivalent abroad, Germany’s Cyber and Information Domain Service.[3]

The DIS was planned to comprise several groups within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) previously established to deal with such threats, which are the C4I Community created in April 2012, Defence Cyber Organisation in March 2017, SAF C4 Command in November 2017, and the Cybersecurity Task Force in December 2020.[4][5] The DIS consolidates these organisations under one service branch dedicated to psychological defence, tackling digital domain threats, cybersecurity and military intelligence.[6] It was projected to be formally established at the end of 2022.[2]

On 2 August 2022, Parliament amended the Singapore Armed Forces Act and Constitution, formally placing the DIS under the SAF and granting the Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service (CDI) legal powers.[7] The DIS was formally inaugurated on 28 October 2022 at the SAFTI Military Institute. The state colours were presented by President Halimah Yacob and the first Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service, Brigadier-General Lee Yi-Jin, was sworn into command.[8]

Structure

MG Lee Yi-Jin, Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service

When inaugurated in 2022, the DIS was made up of the Digital Ops-Tech Centre and 4 commands: the Joint Intelligence Command, SAF C4 Command/Cybersecurity Task Force, Digital Defence Command and DIS Training Command. The DIS Training Command was to be inaugurated in 2023.[9] On 18 March 2025, the SAF C4 & Digitalisation Command, with the Digital Ops-Tech Centre placed under it, and a fifth command called the Defence Cyber Command was inaugurated.[10][11]

Defence Cyber Command

The Defence Cyber Command (DCCOM) comprises the Cybersecurity Task Force (formerly under the SAF C4 Command/Cybersecurity Task Force) and the Defence Cyber Organisation. The command is charged with defending the cybersecurity of the entire nation and cooperates closely with the Cyber Security Agency through the Cyber Protection Group.[10]

Digital Defence Command

The Digital Defence Command consists of the Electronic Protection Group (EPG) and Psychological Defence Group (PDG), which assist the SAF in electronic protection and psychological defence respectively.

DIS Training Command

The DIS Training Command facilitates the training of DIS personnel.

Joint Intelligence Command

The Joint Intelligence Command delivers intelligence support for the SAF. It is the amalgamation of the Imagery Support Group (ISG) and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Group (CTIG).

SAF C4 & Digitalisation Command

The SAF C4 & Digitalisation Command (SAFC4DC) secures and handles the SAF’s Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) capabilities. The C4 Operations Group (C4OG), Digital Ops-Tech Centre and SAF AI Centre operates under it.[10]

Background

Personnel

The SAF plans to encourage male members to join the DIS, and is working with Nanyang Technological University to create an education scheme to train digital specialists. The service length of DIS personnel will be four years, which is twice the length of national service in Singapore.[6][12] In addition, DIS will also recruit personnel specialising in data science, psychology, linguistics, anthropology and geography. Full-time national servicemen will also be enlisted into the DIS.[5]

Uniforms

COL Lee Hsiang Wei (left) in the No. 4 pixelated grey uniform of the DIS

The No. 1 ceremonial uniform of the DIS consists of a white top, grey trousers and a grey beret.[8] The No. 4 uniforms are pixelated grey.[13]

List of chiefs of Digital and Intelligence Service

No. Name Term
1 Lee Yi-Jin 28 October 2022 – present

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d “Leadership Biographies”. Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b Lim, Min Zhang (2 March 2022). “Budget debate: SAF to set up fourth service as digital threats mount, says Ng Eng Hen”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ^ Lim, Min Zhang (4 March 2022). “askST: What lies behind the formation of the SAF’s new intel and digital service?”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ^ “Fact Sheet: Timely Establishment of Digital and Intelligence Service”. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b Mahmud, Aqil Haziq (2 March 2022). “Army, air force, navy and soon, digital and intelligence: SAF to launch 4th service to deal with new threats”. CNA. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b Tay, Hong Yi (9 March 2022). “Mindef, NTU launch digital defence work-study programme for full-time national servicemen”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. ^ Lim, Vanessa (2 Aug 2022). “SAF’s Digital and Intelligence Service to be set up after Parliament passes amendments to SAF Act and Constitution; WP objects to changes to Constitution”. CNA. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b Aqil Hamzah (28 October 2022). “BG Lee Yi-Jin appointed SAF’s first Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  9. ^ “Fact Sheet: The Digital and Intelligence Service”. Mindef. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Yeo, Mike (18 March 2025). “SAF’s digital service inaugurates two new commands to sharpen cyber-security edge”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  11. ^ “Structure and Commands”. The Digital and Intelligence Service.
  12. ^ Ng, Wei Kai (29 March 2022). “Non-profit Cyber Youth Singapore to offer volunteers for SAF’s new digital defence scheme”. The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  13. ^ “Fighting adversaries in the digital space: How this intelligence expert defends S’pore against hidden threats”. The Straits Times. 22 November 2024.