New Zealand Air Force Chief Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore

The Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Tony Davies called on Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. AVM Davies, who is in Singapore for an introductory visit from 14 to 18 June 2017, also called on Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim and Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan earlier today, after inspecting a Guard of Honour. AVM Davies was also hosted to a familiarisation flight onboard a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Super Puma helicopter and visited Paya Lebar Air Base yesterday.​

AVM Davies' visit underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand. The RSAF and the RNZAF interact regularly through professional exchanges, visits, cross-attendance of courses, and multilateral exercises like Exercise Pitch Black. Both air forces also interact under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus. Such interactions have enhanced the mutual trust and interoperability between the two air forces, as well as the professional rapport and ties between their personnel.