Singapore and Vietnam Reaffirm Warm and Friendly Defence Relations

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) signed the renewed Defence Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam's Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Phan Van Giang (left) at the Istana this morning. (Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information)

On 25 February, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met Vietnam's Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Phan Van Giang, who is in Singapore as part of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc's delegation. President Phuc is on a State Visit to Singapore from 24 to 26 February 2022 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Singapore Halimah Yacob.

At the State Visit, Dr Ng and GEN Giang signed and renewed the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The renewed DCA, which builds on the first DCA signed in 2009, serves as a framework for both countries to continue existing interactions in enhancing cooperation and promoting closer interaction between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Vietnam People's Army. Both defence establishments will continue to interact through regular exchange visits, training courses, policy dialogues and Track 1.5 seminars, and cooperate in areas of mutual interest such as military medicine, counter-terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and search and rescue (SAR).

Dr Ng and GEN Giang also discussed bilateral defence cooperation and other matters of mutual interest. GEN Giang will also visit RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base where he will be briefed on the Republic of Singapore Navy's submarine rescue capabilities, and visit the Information Fusion Centre and the Regional Humanitarian Coordination Centre for a better understanding of how the centres support maritime security and HADR efforts respectively.

Singapore and Vietnam share warm and friendly defence ties. Both countries have continued regular interactions despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The signing of the renewed DCA reaffirms the mutual commitment between both defence establishments to further enhance their defence relationship through close cooperation, and to contribute to the peace and stability of the region.

Relevant health checks and safety measures were taken by the visiting delegation.

GEN Giang calling on Dr Ng at a bilateral meeting this afternoon.

GEN Giang on a unit visit at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: Singapore-Vietnam Defence Cooperation Agreement and Defence Relations