German State Secretary for Defence Calls on Minister for Defence

German State Secretary for Defence Mr Benedikt Zimmer (left) calling on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon.

German State Secretary for Defence Mr Benedikt Zimmer, who is in Singapore from 26 to 27 March 2019, called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon. During the meeting, Dr Ng and State Secretary Zimmer reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as in submarine training, defence technology and cyber defence. Both sides also discussed wide-ranging geopolitical and security issues of mutual concern.

State Secretary Zimmer and Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit also co-chaired the 11th Singapore-Germany Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) this afternoon. Since its inception in 2004, the DPD is a regular platform for both countries to exchange views on strategic issues and geopolitical developments, as well as to discuss bilateral defence cooperation. 

State Secretary Zimmer's visit underscores the warm and growing defence relationship between Singapore and Germany. Bilateral defence relations have strengthened with the signing of the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (eDCA) on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018. Both countries also cooperate and interact widely through high-level visits and dialogues, military exchanges, cross-attendance of professional courses, as well as technology collaboration.

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit co-chairing the 11th Singapore-Germany Defence Policy Dialogue with State Secretary Zimmer at the Ministry of Defence.