Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee and Permanent Secretary of the Bruneian Ministry of Defence Brigadier General (BG) (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma'awiah co-chaired the 8th Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) via video conferencing this afternoon.

During the DPD, Mr Chan and BG (Rtd) Dato Shahril reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as defence technology. Both sides exchanged views on international and regional security issues of mutual interest, and welcomed further defence cooperation on the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus platforms as Brunei assumes ASEAN chairmanship in 2021. Mr Chan and BG (Rtd) Dato Shahril also approved enhancements to the bilateral Defence Scholars' Development Programme (SDP). The SDP has been a cornerstone of the two countries' defence interactions since its establishment in 2007, bringing together future leaders of the defence establishments at an early stage of their careers to build lifelong friendships.

Inaugurated in 2009, the Singapore-Brunei DPD serves as a regular forum for both countries to oversee and advance the bilateral defence relationship, as well as explore new areas of defence cooperation.

The DPD reaffirms the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Brunei. Besides established dialogues such as the DPD between Ministry officials, both armed forces also interact regularly through a wide range of activities such as bilateral exercises across the three Services, cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges and visits. Singapore and Brunei will celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral defence ties in 2021.