Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 (XBL24) is a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise involving assets and personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. XBL24 is hosted in Singapore and led by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The opening ceremony was officiated by Singapore Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, together with Malaysian CDF General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman and representatives from the other FPDA nations in attendance to witness the ceremony.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen was the Guest of Honour at the annual Total Defence Awards 2024 held at the Raffles City Convention Centre this evening. 144 Total Defence (TD) Advocate Awards were awarded to 64 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 26 Large Companies, 39 Organisations and 15 Individuals. The TD Advocate Award is the highest accolade conferred on businesses, organisations and individuals in recognition of their exemplary support toward Total Defence.

The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and former Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Air Marshal (AM) Robert Chipman, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to AM Chipman at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted the annual Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Volunteers’ Dinner this evening to recognise the contributions, support and commitment of 387 volunteers serving on 39 MINDEF boards and committees. Dr Ng also presented certificates of appointment and re-appointment to 80 volunteers at the dinner. Held annually since 1998, the MINDEF Volunteers’ Dinner serves to thank volunteers for their invaluable contributions and support for MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). 

German Parliamentary State Secretary for Defence Thomas Hitschler called on Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad at the Ministry of Defence this morning. During their meeting, both sides reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany and exchanged views on geopolitical and security developments. Mr Zaqy also expressed appreciation for Germany’s strong support for Singapore’s training requirements and military-to-military cooperation, including the bilateral collaboration on the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)’s Invincible-class submarine programme.