The United Kingdom (UK) Minister of State (Minister for Armed Forces), James Heappey called on Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. During the meeting, Mr Zaqy and Mr Heappey reaffirmed the close partnership between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the British Armed Forces, and discussed ways to expand cooperation across a broad range of areas, from cyber and non-conventional warfare, to maritime security and counter-terrorism. They also exchanged views on the regional security architecture and geopolitical developments, including the UK's plans to step up defence engagements in the Asia-Pacific.

Mr Heappey, who is in Singapore for his working visit from 5 to 7 December 2022, visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s environmentally-friendly and sustainable A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport Hangar at Changi Air Base (East) this morning, where he was also briefed on the RSAF's sustainability initiatives. The MRTT hangar is the SAF's first integrated facility for wide-body aircraft maintenance and also its first net positive energy building.

Mr Heappey's visit underscores the warm and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the UK, underpinned by the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. Both countries cooperate under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and interact across a wide range of activities including military exercises and exchanges, dialogues and cross-attendance of courses. In 2021, the UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, conducted bilateral exercises with the Republic of Singapore Navy, and made a port call at Changi Naval Base. These interactions strengthen mutual understanding and professional ties between the two armed forces.