Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Chaiyapruk Didyasarin called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning. During their meeting, Dr Ng and ACM Chaiyapruk reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Thailand, and discussed regional security issues, including developments in Southeast Asia.

ACM Chaiyapruk, who is on his introductory visit to Singapore from 18 to 20 December 2018, also called on Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan, after reviewing a Guard of Honour at MINDEF today. As part of his visit, ACM Chaiyapruk visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s Air Power Generation Command at Tengah Air Base yesterday where he received a brief on the RSAF and viewed a demonstration of the counter Unmanned Aerial Systems operations. He will also co-officiate the opening ceremony of Exercise Cope Tiger later today. Exercise Cope Tiger is an annual trilateral exercise conducted by the air forces of Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

ACM Chaiyapruk’s visit underscores the close and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Thailand. The RSAF and the RTAF interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges, courses and exercises. These interactions have bolstered the friendship and mutual understanding between the personnel of the two air forces.