Singapore and US Strengthen Defence Relations Through Strategic Security Policy Dialogue

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee and the United States Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms Amanda J. Dory co-chaired the 14th Singapore-US Strategic Security Policy Dialogue at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. (Photo Credit: US Department of Defense)

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee and the United States Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Amanda J. Dory co-chaired the 14th Singapore-US Strategic Security Policy Dialogue (SSPD) at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. on 13 Sep (Singapore Time). Established in 2006, the annual dialogue is the highest-level institutionalised policy platform between both countries’ defence establishments and serves to set the strategic direction for the Singapore-US bilateral defence relationship.

During the dialogue, Mr Chan and Ms Dory reaffirmed the excellent and mutually beneficial partnership between Singapore and the US. They reaffirmed the importance of the US’ continued engagement in the Asia-Pacific region, including through multilateral platforms like the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, with Ms Dory conveying her appreciation for Singapore’s long-standing support for the US’ military presence under our 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the US’ Use of Facilities in Singapore. Mr Chan expressed appreciation for the US’ consistent support for the Singapore Armed Force (SAF)’s training in the US, and the SAF’s access to technology, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s acquisition and operationalisation of the F-35 aircraft. Both principals also affirmed our shared interest in enhancing defence technology cooperation and ensuring defence supply chain resilience, building on the conclusion of the Security of Supply Arrangement in 2023. In this regard, Mr Chan also expressed MINDEF’s endorsement of the multilateral Statement of Principles for Indo-Pacific Defence Industrial Base Collaboration, which sets out guiding principles for collaboration to enhance the resilience of defence industries in the region, and our intention to participate in the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience. Mr Chan and Ms Dory also welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation in new and emerging areas, such as defence innovation and critical and emerging technologies, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Innovation Cooperation, and Statement of Intent regarding Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Cooperation earlier this year.

Mr Chan, who is in Washington D.C. from 9 to 14 Sep (Singapore Time) also met Deputy Secretary of Defense Ms Kathleen H. Hicks, Secretary of the Air Force Mr Frank Kendall, senior officials from the National Security Council and experts from various think tanks.

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan (left) with US Secretary of the Air Force Mr Frank Kendall (right) during a working lunch. (Photo Credit: US Air Force)

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan (right) met with Deputy Secretary of Defense Ms Kathleen H. Hicks (left).