In its latest weekly report, the magazine said plans to acquire new military hardware and an emphasis on technology would transform Singapore into a major expeditionary force over the next decade.

"The next 10 years will see a continuation of a major shift by the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) to introduce new military capabilities that should make it the regions's strongest fighting force," the magazine said.

The report was compiled after a series of interviews with senior Sinaporean defence officials.

Singapore's Chief of Defence Force Lim Chuan Poh said the introduction of new capabilities would dominated the SAF's development in coming years.

"Learning how to operate submarines. Introducing a new generation of fighter aircraft, evolving new land-fighting concepts as we replace the AMX-135M1 (light tank). These are all very challenging new capabilities that we're trying to bring to the SAF," he said.

The tiny island-state was planning to acquire at least 12 new AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters and was considering replacements for its A4-SU Super Skyhawks and F-5 Tigers, which will be phased out in 5-10 years.

Possible replacements include the French-made Rafale, Britain's Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet from the United States.

Orders for six French-made frigates placed last year were due for delivery in early 2003 and would give the city-state "its first real blue water capability and its first experience of naval helicopters," the report said.

The affluent island republic invests huge resources in building up its defence capability and has regularly expressed concern that regional turmoil has made it vulnerable to outside forces despite domestic stability.

Defence spending is the second largest expenditure on the government's budget behind social spending and community services.

According to Jane's, military research and development now accounts for four percent of the defence budget, up from one percent a decade ago, and the figure is poised to rise further.

Earlier this year, the government announced it would increase defense spending by 6.5 percent to 10.26 billion dollars for the current fiscal year from April 1.

Minister of Defence Tony Tan told the publication the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) still played a role in maintaining regional stability.

"Our view is that the FPDA is very important, particularly in these unsettled times," he said.

But the 30-year old FPDA, which links the militaries of Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, must review some of its activities, Tan said.

These included more joint exercises and raising the professional value of the exercises.

The city-state participated in more than 70 exercises with its military partners last year.