Minister of State for Defence Meets President of the Committee of National Defence and Armed Forces of the French National Assembly

Minister of State for Defence Mr Desmond Choo (left) meeting with President of the Committee of National Defence and Armed Forces of the National Assembly Mr Jean-Michel Jacques (right) earlier today.

Mr Choo viewing the exhibits on display at the 55th International Paris Air Show.

Minister of State for Defence Mr Desmond Choo is in Paris, France and met President of the Committee of National Defence and Armed Forces of the National Assembly Mr Jean-Michel Jacques this afternoon (SG time). 

During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the strong and broad-based bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and France, which is a key pillar of the recently launched Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries. They discussed the strengthening of bilateral defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as defence technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, and exchanged views on ongoing geopolitical and security developments.  Mr Choo also expressed appreciation for France’s continued support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s Advanced Jet Training detachment at Cazaux Air Base. After the meeting, Mr Choo also received a brief on the Ministerial Agency for Defence Artificial Intelligence (AMIAD) by Director AMIAD, Mr Bertrand Rondepierre.

At the invitation of the French Ministry for the Armed Forces, Mr Choo attended the opening ceremony of the 55th International Paris Air Show at Paris yesterday afternoon (SG time). 

Mr Choo will also visit the RSAF’s Advanced Jet Training detachment, 150 Squadron, at Cazaux Air Base on 18 June 2025.

Mr Choo's visit underscores the strong and broad-based defence relationship between Singapore and France. Both armed forces and defence establishments conduct frequent professional exchanges, regular high-level interactions, joint military exercises, cross-attendance of courses, and dialogues. These wide-ranging interactions have strengthened the friendship and mutual understanding between both countries.

Earlier this year, as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to Singapore, Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong and President Macron upgraded bilateral relations between Singapore and France to a CSP in tandem with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries. Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing and French Minister for the Armed Forces Mr Sébastien Lecornu also further strengthened both countries’ bilateral defence relationship through the signing of the Declaration of Intent on Enhanced Defence Cooperation, Letter of Intent on Defence Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, and the Amendment to the Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation.