New Zealand Governor-General visits Changi Command and Control Centre

Sir Anand (second from the right) visiting the Information Fusion Centre, accompanied by Dr Balakrishnan and Major-General Neo Kian Hong. The visit was hosted by Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong.

The Governor-General of New Zealand, His Excellency, The Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, visited the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Changi Command and Control (C2) Centre this afternoon. He was accompanied on his visit by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan, and Chief of Defence Force Major- General Neo Kian Hong. The visit was hosted by Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong.

During his visit to the Changi C2 Centre, Sir Anand was shown how the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) played a key role in enhancing multilateral cooperation for maritime security in the region, through information sharing and close coordination with other maritime agencies. He also interacted with personnel from the RSN Maritime Security Task Force and an officer from the Royal New Zealand Navy, who is an International Liaison Officer stationed at the IFC.

Sir Anand’s visit underscores the long-standing and excellent defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand. The Singapore Armed Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force have a long history of operational cooperation, and interact regularly through visits, joint exercises and professional exchanges. The two armed forces are currently working together in the multinational reconstruction efforts in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan. Both countries also interact regularly as members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Sir Anand is accompanied by Dr Balakrishnan for his four-day state visit to Singapore from 15 to 18 May 2010.

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