Stronger Defence Ties with Germany

Minister of Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from left) inspecting a Guard of Honour together with Dr Thomas de Maizière (left) at the German Federal Ministry of Defence.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is visiting Germany for an introductory visit from 22 to 24 April 2013. On 22 April 2013, Dr Ng met with his counterpart Dr Thomas de Maizière in Berlin. During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the warm and growing bilateral relations between Singapore and Germany. Prior to their meeting, Dr Ng inspected a Guard of Honour with Dr de Maizière.

During their bilateral meeting, Dr Ng and Dr de Maizière discussed political and security developments in Europe and Asia, as well as bilateral defence cooperation. Dr Ng also conveyed Singapore's appreciation for the German government's support for the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) armour training in Germany. With the recent agreement to provide a second training window from 2013 onwards, the SAF will now be able to train in Germany twice a year. Both parties expressed commitment to further strengthen and expand bilateral defence cooperation. Dr Ng also conveyed that he was looking forward to Dr de Maizière's attendance at the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue in June this year.

Dr Ng will be visiting the SAF's armour live-firing exercise, codenamed Panzer Strike, as well as meeting with Chair of the Bundestag Defence Committee Dr Susanne Kastner today. Dr Ng will also attend the German Armed Forces' military band ceremony, the Grand Tattoo, today.

Singapore and Germany interact regularly in a range of defence interactions, such as visits, military exchanges, professional courses, policy dialogues and technology collaboration. Both countries signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in September 2005 to formalise their defence interactions.

Dr Ng (right) with Dr de Maizière at the German Federal Ministry of Defence.

Dr Ng (second from right) and Dr de Maizière (left) at the bilateral meeting.