United States (US) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (GEN) Dan Caine is in Singapore for an introductory visit and to attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). GEN Caine called on Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong yesterday afternoon, and called on Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing at the Shangri-La Hotel this afternoon.

During their meeting, Mr Chan and GEN Caine reaffirmed the excellent bilateral defence relationship and mutually beneficial partnership between Singapore and the US. Mr Chan expressed appreciation for the US’ long-standing support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) training in the US, as well as for the SAF's technology access. Additionally, Mr Chan and GEN Caine discussed the evolving security landscape, and ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. 

As part of his visit, GEN Caine also met with Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng where they discussed the global and regional security developments and underscored their commitment to strengthen the bilateral defence relationship through collaboration in areas of mutual interest. GEN Caine also visited Sembawang Air Base and received a brief on US-Singapore defence relations. 

GEN Caine’s visit underscores the strong ties between Singapore and the US. Both militaries cooperate and interact frequently through high-level visits and dialogues, professional exchanges and numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, which include the bilateral Exercise Tiger Balm, the multilateral Exercise Cope Tiger, and the multilateral Exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT).