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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia DPM meets Singapore leaders, reaffirms defence relationship with Singapore
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Australia DPM and Defence Minister Richard Marles reaffirmed Australia's long-standing bilateral defence relationship with Singapore at the June 1 meeting. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/CHAN CHUN SING SINGAPORE — Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on June 1. Mr Marles, who was in town for the Shangri-La Dialogue, also called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his visit. At their dinner meeting, Mr Chan and Marles reaffirmed Singapore and Australia's close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, which extends to the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus and Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), Mindef said in a statement. The two leaders also looked forward to strengthening defence cooperation under the next phase of their countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). These include areas such as support for expanded access to facilities in each other's country, and deeper cooperation in defence science and technology, as well as defence logistics and supply chains. Singapore and Australia said previously that they intend to sign an ambitious and wide-ranging new CSP in 2025, when the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. The new agreement would build on a 'great track record' of cooperation achieved since the first CSP was signed in 2015, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Dec 2024 at the 14th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting here. The ADMM-Plus, which had been meeting annually since 2017, is a platform for Asean and its eight dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States – to strengthen security and defence cooperation in the region. The FPDA is an arrangement among Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, which first took form in 1971 to safeguard the external defence of Singapore and Malaysia, amid the withdrawal of British forces from Singapore. At their June 1 meeting, Mr Chan further expressed appreciation for Australia's support for the joint development of training areas in Australia, which will benefit both armed forces through an increase in training capacity and more sophisticated training opportunities. Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel will have access to training areas in Australia that are approximately 10 times the size of the city-state by 2028, when the expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the new Greenvale Training Area in Queensland are completed, the SAF said previously. Mr Marles was in Singapore with a delegation of senior Australian officials, including Admiral David Johnston, Australia's chief of defence force, and Mr Greg Moriarty, who is secretary of its Department of Defence. Earlier in the day, Mr Chan also hosted a ministerial roundtable, and met with Sweden Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, and Indian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was attended by more than 40 minister-level representatives, and another 40-plus chiefs of defence forces and senior defence officials from 47 countries. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Germany continue to strengthen defence cooperation
BERLIN: Malaysia and Germany are committed to continuing to strengthen bilateral defence ties through various strategic initiatives, including cooperation agreements, military training, and capacity building in the field of security and defence technology. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was among those discussed during his meeting with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in conjunction with the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 Forum held here. "Germany and Malaysia enjoy good relations in the field of defence, and we deeply value the cooperation that has been fostered over the years. Whenever the opportunity arises, we make it a point to meet and exchange views on the current geopolitical and security landscape," he said when met here yesterday. He also welcomed Asean's decision to accept Germany as an observer country in the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), while hoping that the country would play a meaningful role in the regional security platform. "Malaysia is grateful for Germany's willingness to join the ADMM as an observer and is confident that this participation will contribute to the peace and stability of the Southeast Asian region," he said. At the meeting, Khaled said Germany also expressed its intention to sign a Letter of Intent with Malaysia to facilitate and expedite all forms of defence cooperation between the two countries. According to him, both parties are currently discussing and finalising the document. He also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's participation in the 'Enable and Enhance' programme, which is an initiative by Germany to help build the defence capabilities of partner countries. "We greatly appreciate the contributions under this programme and hope that it will continue, especially by the newly formed German government," he said. Meanwhile, he also expressed Malaysia's hope that the training opportunities for Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots in the A400M simulator in Germany can continue, given that the aircraft is also used by the country. "I also suggest that Germany consider opening up training opportunities for Malaysian military personnel in technology-related fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, which are increasingly important in today's defence landscape," he said. He said the meeting reflected the determination of both countries in building more sustainable defence cooperation, in line with increasingly challenging global security needs.
India Today
04-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Rajnath Singh to host Japanese counterpart in Delhi, discuss defence cooperation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, in New Delhi on Monday. During the meeting, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and global security issues and explore ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, according to a government statement issued on Sunday."India and Japan share a long-term friendship, which has further gained qualitative momentum after the elevation of this collaboration to Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. Defence and security are important pillars of the ties between the two countries," the defence ministry statement prevalent geopolitical scenario in the Indian subcontinent following the Pahalgam attack is expected to find considerable space during the talks between Rajnath Singh and Gen Nakatani. The two leaders are also expected to discuss ways to boost India-Japan defence industrial cooperation. Following the Pahalgam attack, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi, vowing his full support and said that the two countries stood united against discussions will be the second meeting between the Indian and the Japanese defence ministers after they previously met on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting in the November meeting, Rajnath Singh and Gen Nakatani discussed a reciprocal provision of supply and service agreement aimed at boosting interoperability between the two the reciprocal supply and services pact goes ahead, it will pave the way for both countries to use each other's military bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, while also providing a boost to the overall bilateral defence representatives of both nations are also expected to review the situation in the strategic waters of the East and South China Seas, where Beijing has been enhancing its military presence."Defence exchanges between India and Japan have gained strength in recent years due to the growing convergence on strategic matters. Its significance is increasing from the common outlook on issues of peace, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region," the government said ahead of the crucial defence constant war rhetoric between India and Pakistan gains momentum, countries around the world have appealed to them to ease tensions and avoid further Watch
