SINGAPORE, July 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Singapore is prepared to increase its defense spending to 6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) each year, Singapore's Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Friday.

    Announcing this at a seminar here, Teo Chee Hean said that Singapore has now been spending between 4.5 percent and 5 percent of GDP on defense in recent years.

    He stressed the need for a strong defense to preserve Singapore's independence and sovereignty.

    The Singapore armed forces (SAF) is undergoing a transformationfor the third generation one, which will be leaner and more potent,and will employ new operating concepts and systems, he said.

    Teo said that the SAF's transformation will also enhance the island state's security against non-conventional threats.

    As for Singapore's efforts to deal with terrorism, the ministersaid that from extra manning at key installations to heightened vigilance in the air and at sea, there is a collective effort to provide physical security for Singaporeans.

    The SAF has set up a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defense Group to provide a comprehensive suite of capabilities to handle non-conventional threats such as a chemicalattack, he added.

    The minister urged Singaporeans to raise their resilience and strengthen their cohesion in the face of threats from terrorists. Enditem