Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and his United States (US) counterpart Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. earlier today (Singapore time).

Signed on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the 10th anniversary of the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the US and Singapore, the enhanced DCA provides an ambitious and forward-looking framework for defence cooperation. Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the military, policy, strategic, and technology spheres, as well as in non-conventional security areas such as piracy and transnational terrorism. The enhanced DCA also lays out new areas of cooperation, in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), cyber defence, biosecurity and public communications.

The Joint Statement released by Dr Ng and Secretary Carter after the signing ceremony underscored the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the US and Singapore. It also noted the good progress made in cooperative initiatives under the ambit of the 1990 MOU and 2005 SFA, including the successful deployment of the second Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Fort Worth, to Singapore in December 2014 and the inaugural deployment of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Singapore from 7 to 14 December 2015. These deployments promote greater interoperability with regional militaries and provide timely support for regional HADR and maritime security efforts.

During their meeting, Dr Ng and Secretary Carter reaffirmed the importance of a strong US presence in the Asia-Pacific in ensuring regional peace and stability. They also exchanged views on a variety of other issues, including the importance of practical cooperation in dealing with challenges to regional security, as well as initiatives to promote greater regional stability in the Asia-Pacific. 

Dr Ng is visiting Washington D.C. from 6 to 10 December 2015. As part of his visit, Dr Ng will meet with Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Former US Ambassador to Singapore and Atlantic Council Chairman Jon Huntsman and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator John McCain later today (Singapore time). While in Washington D.C., he will also meet other officials and congressional leaders as well as deliver a speech at the Center for a New American Security.