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US, Singapore Reaffirm Commitment to Fight Terrorism
3 June 2016
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right), accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung (left), hosting breakfast for United States Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter (middle) on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and United States (US) Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Imagery Support Group (ISG) on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue today. Chief of Defence Force Major-General Perry Lim, and other senior Ministry of Defence and SAF personnel were also present during the visit. Prior to the visit, Secretary Carter was hosted to breakfast by Dr Ng, where they reaffirmed the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relations and discussed a wide range of security issues, including the transnational threat of terrorism.
At the ISG, Secretary Carter received a brief on the ISG's operations as well as the Imagery Analysis Team's deployment to the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Kuwait as part of Singapore's contributions to the multinational counter-ISIS coalition. Secretary Carter also met with SAF personnel who had served as part of the coalition and thanked them for their contributions, noting the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Dr Ng highlighted that "the problem of terrorism is a global one" and cited the example of the Jakarta attacks in January, which had been plotted in Syria. Dr Ng noted that this transnational threat of terrorism formed the basis of the Joint Declaration issued at the10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in Laos, which underscored the ASEAN Defence Ministers' resolve to cooperate internationally and regionally to combat the threat of terrorism. Expressing his appreciation for Singapore's contributions to the counter-ISIS coalition, Secretary Carter noted, "Singapore plays an important role… I had the opportunity to visit one of the units that has made a significant contribution." He also expressed his appreciation for the intelligence cooperation between both countries.
Following their visit to the ISG, Dr Ng and Secretary Carter flew on the P-8 Poseidon aircraft over the Malacca Strait. Part of the cooperative initiative under the ambit of the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding and 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement between the US and Singapore, the P-8 aircraft's deployment promotes greater interoperability with regional militaries and provides timely support for regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maritime security efforts.
Secretary Carter's visit underscores the excellent defence relationship between Singapore and the US, strengthened by the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in December last year. The enhanced DCA also paved the way for closer bilateral cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, including counter-terrorism.

Secretary Carter (left), accompanied by Dr Ng (second from left) and Chief of Defence Force MG Lim (right), receiving a brief on the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Imagery Support Group (ISG).

Secretary Carter (middle), accompanied by Chief of Defence Force MG Lim (left), receiving a brief on the imagery analysis products of ISG.

Secretary Carter (third from left), accompanied by Dr Ng (left) and Chief of Defence Force MG Lim (second from left), interacting with SAF personnel who served as part of the counter-ISIS coalition in Kuwait.

Dr Ng (second row, right) and Secretary Carter (second row, left) onboard the US Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft.