Singapore and Australia Reaffirm Defence Relations at the 12th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen giving his remarks at the 12th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) meeting which was held virtually.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the 12th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) via video conferencing this morning. During the meeting, Dr Ng and Australian Minister for Defence Peter Dutton reaffirmed the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Australia. Both Ministers expressed satisfaction with the steady progress made in the joint development of training areas and advanced training facilities in Queensland, Australia, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This is one of the key initiatives under the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international security issues of mutual concern to both countries, including the need to enhance counter-terrorism and cybersecurity cooperation. They welcomed the deployment of an Australian liaison officer to the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility in Singapore. Both Ministers were also encouraged by the close cooperation between both countries at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus and the commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which will mark its 50th anniversary later this year.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Australian Defence Force have a long history of military cooperation, with extensive interactions including bilateral and multilateral exercises, professional exchanges, cross attendance of courses and joint operational deployments. Last year, Singapore and Australia commemorated the 30th anniversary of the SAF's training in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland and welcomed into force the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development in Australia.

The 12th meeting of the SAJMC was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and their respective Australian counterparts.

Dr Ng, Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Gan with their Australian counterparts (from left to right) Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne, and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan. Photo credit: MFA