Singapore and the US to Work Together Against Terrorism

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met United States (US) Secretary of Defense James Mattis today, on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and 4th ADMM-Plus.

Dr Ng and Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and the US. In particular, they discussed strategies to address the growing threat of terrorism. Dr Ng conveyed Singapore's commitment to extend its contributions to the US-led Defeat-ISIS coalition in the Middle East for 2018 and beyond. In 2018, Singapore will continue to contribute a KC-135R tanker aircraft, an Imagery Analysis Team, and a medical team. Secretary Mattis expressed appreciation for Singapore's support and contributions.

Dr Ng and Secretary Mattis also discussed avenues to address the terrorism threat in Southeast Asia. Noting the US' offer to support regional counter-terrorism efforts raised at the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting on 23 October 2017, Dr Ng said that Singapore will facilitate these initiatives as ASEAN Chair in 2018.

Since the conclusion of the 2015 enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, Singapore and the US have continued to deepen interactions and exchanges, ranging from military exercises to cooperation in non-conventional security areas such as counter-terrorism and cyber defence.