Friday, June 10th, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen reaffirmed the nations' longstanding bilateral relations and discussed ways to further improve defense cooperation.
During his official trip to Singapore, Mr. Austin met with Dr. Ng at the Shangri-La Hotel. Mr. Austin will also be present for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue, which begins the same day.
The outstanding bilateral defense cooperation between Singapore and the United States was reinforced by Dr. Ng and Secretary Austin, according to a Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) press statement.
During the discussion, Dr. Ng expressed thanks for the United States' significant support for Singapore Armed Forces training in the United States, including support for the RSAF's procurement and operationalization of F-35Bs, according to the ministry.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) involving cooperation in cyberspace in August 2021, both parties also discussed measures to further improve defence cooperation between Singapore and the United States, such as in the field of cyber defence.
After a two-year break, 42 nations will join the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to discuss regional stability. Mr. Austin also reiterated the United States' commitment to engage the Asia-Pacific region and play a prominent role in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.
MINDEF stated, "He expressed gratitude for Singapore's support of the United States' regional presence, even in the middle of COVID-19."
In addition, Dr. Ng and Mr. Austin underlined the importance for stable defense relations and for regional nations to collaborate for the security and development of the area.
The 2019 renewal of the 1990 MOU Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore is the cornerstone of the defence cooperation between Singapore and the United States.
In addition, the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement acknowledged Singapore as a major security cooperation partner, and the 2015 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement expanded defence collaboration across traditional and non-conventional security areas and outlined new areas of cooperation, such as counter-terrorism and biosecurity.
Mr. Austin's first visit to Singapore was in July 2021, during which he met with Dr. Ng and separately visited with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
At this tour, Mr. Austin will also meet with Mr. Lee and speak at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 11 during a session titled Next Steps for the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy.
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