Singapore and Germany Strengthen Defence Ties through New Agreement on Defence Cooperation

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) and German Federal Minister of Defence Dr Ursula von der Leyen signing an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and German Federal Minister of Defence Dr Ursula von der Leyen signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Singapore and Germany today, on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). Building on the first DCA signed in 2005, this new Agreement consolidates key areas of existing cooperation between both countries, and paves the way for future cooperation particularly in non-conventional security areas.
    
Speaking to the media after the signing, Dr Ng highlighted the warm and growing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Germany, and said that it was timely to strengthen bilateral defence ties through the signing of the Agreement. "We signed the first DCA between Singapore and Germany in 2005. Since then, defence relations have grown in breadth as well as in depth… so this enhanced DCA is very timely to consolidate existing platforms and define new areas of cooperation," he said. Dr von der Leyen also highlighted the long-standing defence relationship and said that the enhanced Agreement took into account the current challenges, with emphasis on cyber security and hybrid threats. She added that the agreement would "intensify the cooperation between our two countries, focusing on areas of mutual excellence." 

At the bilateral meeting prior to the signing, Dr Ng and Dr von der Leyen discussed wide-ranging geopolitical and security issues, including military modernisation and counter-terrorism. Dr Ng also conveyed Singapore's appreciation for Germany's support for the Singapore Armed Forces' training in Germany since 2009, which includes an annual bilateral live-firing exercise between both armies.

Singapore and Germany enjoy regular defence interactions across multiple areas, such as high-level visits, military exchanges, professional courses, policy dialogues, and technology collaboration.

Dr Ng (right) and Dr von der Leyen speaking to the media after the DCA signing.