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2d ago

US and Singapore Reinforce Defence Partnership at Shangri-La Dialogue

High-level discussions with Hegseth alongside Singapore’s top officials reinforce long-standing defence access agreements, setting Washington up to present its Indo-Pacific security vision.

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Singapore’s Minister of Defence Chan Chun Sing meeting US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore on Friday. Photo: MINDEF
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was talking at an annual security forum in Singapore

Overview

  • US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing reaffirmed their countries’ longstanding defence partnership anchored by a 1990 memorandum of understanding allowing US access to Singapore’s air and naval bases.
  • Hegseth praised Singapore’s facilitation of US military rotations, port calls, and Singapore Armed Forces training in the United States, including support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s acquisition of F-35 jets.
  • Hegseth and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted a shared commitment to regional peace and stability ahead of Hegseth’s Shangri-La plenary address outlining Washington’s strategy to deter China in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing held bilateral talks with leaders from Timor-Leste, Brunei, and the Philippines to deepen both bilateral and multilateral security cooperation at the dialogue.
  • Singapore and France signed three agreements on emerging and advanced defence technologies during President Macron’s state visit, coinciding with the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.