The Security and External Relations Sector consists of 3 Ministries: MINDEF, MHA and MFA.

This sector accounts for 37% of FY2004 government expenditure.

The Security and External Relations Sector aims to achieve:

In FY2004, the ministries in this Sector will work towards their goals by allocating their expenditure to emphasise the following:

MINDEF will continue to ensure that Singaporeans continue to enjoy a peaceful and secure environment, and that Singapore continues to enjoy unimpeded access to its air and sea lines of communication.

The SAF will maintain a high state of operational readiness to respond to any conventional or non-conventional threat to Singapore's security, while maintaining a wide circle of defence ties with both regional and extra-regional friendly forces.

The SAF will continue to equip its servicemen with the necessary skills and knowledge to leverage technologically advanced weapons and operational doctrines of modern warfare.

The Singapore Police Force will allocate $26 million to enhance safety and security in a post 9-11 operating environment. Additional police officers will be recruited and more patrols would be performed.

$186 million will be allocated to maintain border security through the administration of the movement of people, goods and conveyances passing the checkpoints and ensuring that such movements are legitimate and lawful.

$25 million will be allocated to develop new Civil Defence Shelters for the Circle Line.

To help rehabilitate prisoners into society, $8 million will be allocated to implement the Expanded Home Detention Scheme and Expansion of Work Release Scheme. Another $8 million will fund the aftercare programmes of Halfway Houses.

$285 million will be allocated to MFA to safeguard and promote the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans through effective diplomacy.