The Chief of Staff of the German Army, Lieutenant General (LTG) Bruno Kasdorf, has been conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military)] by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to LTG Kasdorf at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

LTG Kasdorf was awarded the medal in recognition of his significant contributions in strengthening the defence relationship between the German and Singapore Army. LTG Kasdorf's support for the Singapore Army's training in the Bergen NATO Training area has been pivotal in enabling the Singapore Army to meet its training needs. LTG Kasdorf was instrumental in the establishment of a second training window for the SAF's armour live-firing exercise in Germany, Exercise Panzer Strike, thereby enhancing the training and build-up of our armour force. LTG Kasdorf has also played a key role in the expansion of professional interactions between the two Armies.

Singapore and Germany share a warm and growing bilateral defence relationship and both Armies interact regularly through joint training, exchange of visits, knowledge sharing and the cross-attendance of courses. These professional exchanges and personal interactions have strengthened the understanding, rapport and camaraderie between personnel of both forces.LTG Kasdorf, who is in Singapore for a visit from 11 to 13 August 2014, also called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng and Chief of Army Major-General Perry Lim before the investiture. LTG Kasdorf will visit the Multi-Mission Range Complex later today and will be speaking to students at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College as part of the Distinguished Speakers' Programme tomorrow.