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Ministry of Defence
News Releases

Singapore and Japan Sign Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology

3 June 2023

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Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Melvyn Ong (right) and Ambassador of Japan to Singapore His Excellency Ishikawa Hiroshi (left) signing the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.

Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Melvyn Ong (right) and Ambassador of Japan to Singapore His Excellency Ishikawa Hiroshi (left) signing the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.

Japan Minister of Defense Hamada Yasukazu is in Singapore to attend the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). Mr Hamada called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen this afternoon at the Shangri-La Hotel.

During the call, Dr Ng and Mr Hamada reaffirmed the warm and friendly ties between both countries. Both Ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional security issues.

Following the call, both Ministers witnessed the signing of an Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology between Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Melvyn Ong and Ambassador of Japan to Singapore His Excellency Ishikawa Hiroshi. The Agreement is a follow-up to the Enhanced Memorandum on Defence Exchanges that Singapore and Japan had signed in June 2022, and establishes a legal framework for the import and export of defence equipment and technology between Singapore and Japan[1] This provides the Singapore Armed Forces with more options to meet its training and/or operational requirements.

[1] This Agreement is in fulfilment of Japan’s requirements regarding the export of defence equipment and technologies from Japan. Several other ASEAN countries have also signed this Agreement with Japan. The Agreement does not oblige either party to sell or buy equipment from the other party.

Japan Minister of Defense Hamada Yasukazu (left) calling on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) on the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue.

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