Singapore and India Renew Air Force Bilateral Agreement Reaffirming Strong Defence Relations

Singapore's Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit and India’s Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar renewed the Bilateral Agreement for the Conduct of Joint Military Training and Exercises in India between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Ministry of Defence today. Concluded in 2007 and last renewed in 2012, today’s renewal was witnessed by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and India's High Commissioner to Singapore His Excellency Mr Jawed Ashraf. Mr Kumar had called on Dr Ng earlier this morning. Both parties reaffirmed the strong bilateral defence relations between both countries, and discussed geopolitical and security developments in the region.

The renewed bilateral agreement allows the RSAF to continue its Joint Military Training at Kalaikunda Air Force Station for another five years. It will provide the RSAF with regular opportunities to train with the IAF's advanced Su-30 fighter aircraft, as well as many touchpoints to strengthen rapport and mutual understanding at all levels.

Mr Kumar is in Singapore from 18 to 19 January to co-chair the 11th Singapore-India Defence Policy Dialogue with Mr Chan. Established under the India-Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in 2003 and inaugurated in March 2004, the DPD serves as a regular forum for both countries to discuss areas of defence cooperation and strategic developments of mutual interest. 

During the DPD, both sides underscored the strong and growing ties between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces across all three Services. Mr Kumar and Mr Chan also committed to strengthening bilateral defence interactions and welcomed deeper defence cooperation for mutual benefit.

Mr Kumar's visit reaffirms the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and India, strengthened by the revised DCA signed in 2015 as well as the Air Force and Army Bilateral Agreements concluded in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Besides the DPD, the two defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges and defence technology cooperation.