Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in the United States (US) from 2 to 4 December 2022 (SG time) to attend the 9th Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF). Held in Simi Valley, California, the RNDF brings together distinguished leaders and key players in the defence community to address national security issues. This year's conference is attended by US and select foreign defence and security officials, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, as well as members of the US Congress.

Earlier today, Dr Ng spoke on the topic “Our Strategic Advantage: Cooperation with Allies and Partners” alongside US Senator Lindsey Graham, Minister of Defence of Finland Antti Kaikkonen, Co-Founder and CEO, Palantir Technologies Dr Alexander C. Karp, and Commander of the U.S. Southern Command General (GEN) Laura Richardson.

In his remarks, Dr Ng reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and the US, particularly Singapore's support for the US' presence and engagement of the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted that the US' military presence in Asia-Pacific was a stabilising force and urged the US to do more in the economic aspect. He said, "I think the US increasing their military presence in Asia as a stabilising force is virtuous ... the US should do more to engage, as it did previously, to build an economic framework as a tide that can lift all boats."

On the sidelines of RNDF, Dr Ng conducted a series of bilateral meetings with US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command ADM John Aquilino, Commander of the US Cyber Command and Director of the US National Security Agency GEN Paul M. Nakasone, and former US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Dr Ng also met with former US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta, as well as Congressmen from the US House and Senate Armed Services Committees.