Dr Ng: FPDA Plays Crucial Role In Regional Security Architecture

The FPDA Defence Ministers before the commencement of the 9th FPDA Defence Ministers' Meeting.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the 9th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers' Meeting (FDMM) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on 1 June 2014. The other FPDA Defence Ministers at the meeting were Australian Minister for Defence David Johnston, Malaysian Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Transport Hishammuddin Hussein, New Zealand Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman, and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond. The FDMM, held every three years, is hosted alternately by Singapore and Malaysia.

During the meeting, Dr Ng spoke about the continued importance of the FPDA. The FPDA is a crucial part of the regional security architecture and well-positioned to promote strategic trust in the region due to member-nations' shared values and history. FPDA militaries' longstanding cooperation through the Arrangements has allowed them to build a high level of interoperability, mutual understanding and friendship. The FDMM also discussed regional security issues and were updated on FPDA exercises and activities since the last FDMM in 2011. On 31 May, the Ministers also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Since the FPDA's formation in 1971, its activities have expanded in scope and depth. Over the years, the FPDA has adapted to the changing security environment to remain relevant to the needs of member countries as well as continue to play an important role in the regional security architecture.

The FPDA Defence Ministers calling on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: 9th FPDA Defence Ministers' Meeting