Minister for Defence Reinforces Defence Ties with Counterparts on Third Day of 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue

Republic of Korea Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back met with Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles met with Mr Chan on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

Japan Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjirō met with Mr Chan on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

India Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with Mr Chan on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing met his counterparts on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), including Defence Ministers and representatives from the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, Japan, and Germany. 

During the call with ROK Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the ROK and exchanged views on regional security developments. 

During their meeting, Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Mr Chan reaffirmed Singapore and Australia's close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, which extends to the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Following the upgrade of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Enhanced Defence Cooperation (eDC MOU) last year, the Ministers commended the good progress on key initiatives to enhance both militaries’ reciprocal access to defence facilities in Australia and Singapore, and step up cooperation in defence science and technology, defence logistics and supply chains, and professional exchanges between both militaries. Mr Chan also expressed appreciation for Australia’s continued support for the joint development of training areas and advanced training facilities in Australia, which will benefit both armed forces. 

Japan Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjirō met with Mr Chan and reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan as both countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Both ministers agreed to meet regularly to exchange views on regional developments and advance defence cooperation. 

During the call with Germany State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence Nils Hilmer, both parties reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany. They acknowledged the need for both countries to work together on cross-regional security challenges, including supply chain resilience, building on the bilateral Supply Chain Resiliency Arrangement signed during Germany Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius’ official visit in March.

Mr Chan also met Norway Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik, and India Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where discussions were focused on geopolitical developments and areas of potential defence cooperation.