Singapore and Japan Sign Enhanced Memorandum on Defence Exchanges

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) signing the Enhanced Memorandum on Defence Exchanges with Japan Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo (left) this morning on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Japan Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo is in Singapore for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Mr Kishi signed an Enhanced Memorandum on Defence Exchanges earlier today at the Shangri-La Hotel. Singapore and Japan also announced the commencement of negotiations on an Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology¹.

The Memorandum on Defence Exchanges was first signed between then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and then-Japan Minister of Defense Kitazawa Toshimi in December 2009. The Memorandum on Defence Exchanges formalised defence interactions between both defence establishments, such as exchange of visits by defence officials, conduct of policy dialogues and military staff talks, as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars. It also allowed both countries to broaden defence cooperation on areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and peace support operations.

The Enhanced Memorandum on Defence Exchanges identifies new areas of cooperation including logistics support, exchanges on defence technology, protection against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive (CBRE) threats, strategic communications and maritime security. Both countries will also advance regional cooperation in a multilateral setting such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.

Mr Kishi will call on Dr Ng later this afternoon. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered this year's SLD Keynote Address on 10 June 2022.

¹ This Agreement will establish a legal framework for the import and export of defence equipment and technology between Singapore and Japan. This Agreement is in fulfilment of Japan's requirements regarding the export of defence equipment and technologies from Japan. Several other ASEAN countries have signed this Agreement with Japan. The Agreement does not oblige either party to sell or buy equipment from the other party.