Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles is in Singapore to attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). He also met Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing today.

During the meeting, Mr Marles and Mr Chan reaffirmed Singapore and Australia's close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, which extends to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus and Five Power Defence Arrangements. The Ministers looked forward to strengthening defence cooperation under the next phase of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas such as support for expanded access to facilities in each country and deepening cooperation in defence science and technology, as well as defence logistics and supply chains.

Mr Chan also expressed appreciation for Australia’s support for the joint development of training areas in Australia, which will benefit both armed forces through an increase in training capacity and more sophisticated training opportunities.

Mr Marles is in Singapore with a delegation of senior Australian officials, including Australian Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston and Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty. Mr Marles also called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his visit.