Latest news with #FPDA
Straits Times
2 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.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore defence minister meets counterparts from Five-Power defence nations, other defence ministers
Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin arrives for a doorstop interview at the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs' Conference in Singapore May 29, 2025. Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. - Reuters SINGAPORE: Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. Chan hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC and Malaysian Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the meeting, a regular feature of the security forum, the ministers commended the grouping's progress in implementing their nations' guidance to raise the complexity of FPDA exercises to stay relevant to current security challenges. The 2024 edition of the FPDA's Exercise Bersama Lima (XBL24) saw the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets from Australia and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand. 'Looking ahead, the Ministers look forward to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group's participation in XBL25, which would be a milestone achievement for the FPDA, and reaffirm the importance of committing high-end assets to FPDA exercises to enhance their professional value,' said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in a statement. The ministers also affirmed the continued strategic relevance of the FPDA as a constructive, transparent and peaceful defence arrangement that supports regional security architecture, it added. Formed in 1971, the FPDA brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a consultative security framework. The arrangement was established in the wake of the British military withdrawal from South-East Asia, providing a platform for defence cooperation and consultation. Mindef said that the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation through regular exercises, dialogues and platforms for sharing professional knowledge and experiences. As part of his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Chan met Japan Minister of Defence Nakatani Gen on May 31. han welcomed Nakatani, who had attended the inaugural edition of the forum in 2002, back to the dialogue. As the country coordinator for Asean-Japan dialogue relations, Chan reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including through the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Mindef said. Both ministers also reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation to tackle shared challenges, such as through cyber exchanges and enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology. The Shangri-La Dialogue is taking place in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chan Chun Sing meets counterparts from Five-Power defence nations, other defence ministers
(Clockwise, from second left) Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC and Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE – Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. Mr Chan hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC, and Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the meeting, a regular feature of the security forum, the ministers commended the grouping's progress in implementing their nations' guidance to raise the complexity of FPDA exercises to stay relevant to current security challenges. The 2024 edition of the FPDA's Exercise Bersama Lima (XBL24) saw the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets from Australia and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand. 'Looking ahead, the Ministers look forward to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group's participation in XBL25, which would be a milestone achievement for the FPDA, and reaffirm the importance of committing high-end assets to FPDA exercises to enhance their professional value,' said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in a statement. The ministers also affirmed the continued strategic relevance of the FPDA as a constructive, transparent and peaceful defence arrangement that supports regional security architecture, it added. Formed in 1971, the FPDA brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a consultative security framework. The arrangement was established in the wake of the British military withdrawal from South-east Asia, providing a platform for defence cooperation and consultation. Mindef said that the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation through regular exercises, dialogues and platforms for sharing professional knowledge and experiences. As part of his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Mr Chan met Japan Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen on May 31. Mr Chan welcomed Mr Nakatani, who had attended the inaugural edition of the forum in 2002, back to the dialogue. As the country coordinator for Asean-Japan dialogue relations, Mr Chan reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Mindef said. Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) meeting Japan Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Both ministers also reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation to tackle shared challenges, such as through cyber exchanges and enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology. The Shangri-La Dialogue is taking place in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
FPDA Remains Relevant In Face Of Modern Security Challenges, Say Defence Chiefs
SINGAPORE, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), formed 54 years ago by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, remains relevant by adapting to contemporary security challenges, according to the member nations' defence chiefs on Thursday. In a joint statement, they said FPDA exercises have evolved to incorporate non-conventional elements such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, complementing the regular conduct of large-scale conventional serials. The statement was issued following the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC), hosted by Singapore at a hotel here on Thursday. bootstrap slideshow Chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, this year's conference included participation from his counterparts: Admiral David Johnston (Australia), General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar (Malaysia), Air Marshal Tony Davies (New Zealand), and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (United Kingdom). The FDCC, hosted alternately by Singapore and Malaysia, serves as the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and a key platform for dialogue and exchange of views among defence chiefs. The previous conference, held in 2023, was hosted by Malaysia. During this year's conference, the defence chiefs discussed the importance of keeping the FPDA relevant and acknowledged its ongoing contribution to regional peace and security. 'In line with this, the defence chiefs reaffirmed conventional exercises as the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, enhancing interoperability among member nations' militaries and strengthening multilateral ties,' the statement said. They also reaffirmed their continued commitment to the FPDA and its founding principles, emphasising its enduring relevance in an ever-changing security landscape.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
FPDA defence chiefs reaffirm pact's role in modern security
SINGAPORE: The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), formed 54 years ago by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, remains relevant by adapting to contemporary security challenges, according to the member nations' defence chiefs on Thursday. In a joint statement, they said FPDA exercises have evolved to incorporate non-conventional elements such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, complementing the regular conduct of large-scale conventional serials. The statement was issued following the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC), hosted by Singapore at a hotel here on Thursday. Chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, this year's conference included participation from his counterparts: Admiral David Johnston (Australia), General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar (Malaysia), Air Marshal Tony Davies (New Zealand), and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (United Kingdom). The FDCC, hosted alternately by Singapore and Malaysia, serves as the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and a key platform for dialogue and exchange of views among defence chiefs. The previous conference, held in 2023, was hosted by Malaysia. During this year's conference, the defence chiefs discussed the importance of keeping the FPDA relevant and acknowledged its ongoing contribution to regional peace and security. 'In line with this, the defence chiefs reaffirmed conventional exercises as the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, enhancing interoperability among member nations' militaries and strengthening multilateral ties,' the statement said. They also reaffirmed their continued commitment to the FPDA and its founding principles, emphasising its enduring relevance in an ever-changing security landscape. The defence chiefs said they look forward to Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025, which will feature high-end warfighting serials and next-generation assets such as Australia's F-35s and the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group. 'The inclusion of next-generation capabilities exemplifies the unity and strength of the FPDA and reaffirms the continued commitment of member nations to strengthening the operational value of FPDA exercises,' the statement added. At the conference, the defence chiefs also issued the FPDA Exercise Concept Directive 2025 and endorsed a five-year roadmap for the FPDA's advancement. The directive and roadmap will guide the development of FPDA exercises and initiatives, enhancing its capacity for both conventional and non-conventional operations. The defence chiefs also called on Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing prior to the commencement of the FDCC.
