During the 1930s, the strategy came under sustained criticism in Britain and abroad, particularly in Australia, where the Singapore strategy was used as an excuse for parsimonious defence policies.
Selama dasawarsa 1930-an, strategi ini dikritik berkali-kali di Britania dan di luar negeri, terutama di Australia, tempat Strategi Singapura digunakan sebagai dalih kebijakan pertahanan yang kikir anggaran.