Australian Chief of Army Receives Prestigious Military Award

The Chief of Army of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Angus Campbell, was presented with Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) (MSM(M))], by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at an investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

LTGEN Campbell was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards strengthening defence ties between the Australian Army and the Singapore Army. He has promoted greater cooperation between both armies through bilateral exercises such as Exercise Trident and multilateral exercises such as the 2016 ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise, which remains the largest ADMM-Plus exercise conducted. LTGEN Campbell also strongly supported joint operational deployments such as the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Defeat-ISIS coalition efforts together with the ADF, which has enhanced the interoperability between both armies, and deepened people-to-people ties. 

LTGEN Campbell's strong personal support for the Singapore Army's training in Australia, including Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, has also contributed significantly to the operational readiness of the Singapore Army. Notably, LTGEN Campbell supported the elevation of bilateral relations to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Under the CSP, both the ADF and the SAF will undertake joint development of training areas, which will provide more opportunities for training in tough and challenging terrain in Australia, as well as more sophisticated bilateral training. These opportunities will positively transform the bilateral defence relationship for generations to come.

On receiving the award, LTGEN Campbell said, "I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the MSM(M) from the Singapore Ministry of Defence. This award is recognition of the close ties between our two armies. The Australian Army looks forward to the continuation of a very strong relationship with the Singapore Army".

LTGEN Campbell, who is in Singapore from 13 to 14 September 2017, called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, and Chief of Army Major-General Melvyn Ong, and inspected a Guard of Honour contingent at MINDEF prior to the investiture.