Latest news with #MINDEF
CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
Singapore, Japan defence ministers discuss strengthening cooperation
SINGAPORE: Japan's Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen called on his Singapore counterpart Chan Chun Sing on Saturday morning (May 31) at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Mr Chan welcomed Mr Nakatani back to the event, as he had attended the inaugural edition in 2002. During the meeting, both ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, said Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in a news release. "Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation to tackle common challenges faced by Singapore and Japan, including enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology and cyber exchanges." As the country coordinator of ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, Mr Chan also reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including on the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. "The defence establishments of Singapore and Japan also have regular high-level exchanges and close people-to-people ties strengthened by cross-attendance of courses and frequent military-to-military interactions," said MINDEF.
CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore, France to strengthen defence cooperation, including AI capabilities
SINGAPORE: Singapore and France on Friday (May 30) agreed to deepen their defence relationship, exchanging agreements in areas of mutual interest such as technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Earlier, Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and France's Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu signed a declaration of intent on enhanced defence cooperation across multiple domains, including digital defence, and to explore new areas of collaboration, such as in emerging technologies. The declaration also recognises both countries' long-standing support for each other's deployments, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) advanced jet training detachment in Cazaux, France. A letter of intent on defence AI cooperation was also signed to expand the capabilities of the Joint Research & Development Laboratory that both countries had established in April 2023 to help develop AI capabilities for defence applications. "We have identified use cases for sense-making and analysis, countering misinformation and disinformation, autonomous systems, and verification and validation for AI systems," said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Friday. The letter of intent also reflects both sides' shared objective to involve operational users and industry partners to co-develop AI-enabled solutions for battlefield needs and emerging security threats. According to a MINDEF press release in April 2023, this is the first joint lab it had established with an overseas country and partner. Both countries also signed an amendment to the Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation, reaffirming bilateral collaboration across areas like research and development (R&D), as well as highlighting new areas of cooperation in open innovation, and critical technologies such as AI, quantum and microelectronics. This arrangement was first signed in November 2003 and renewed in April 2016. Mr Chan and Mr Lecornu met on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron's two-day state visit to Singapore, where he delivered the keynote address on Friday night at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top annual defence summit. 'Mr Chan expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998,' said MINDEF. 'Both ministers also exchanged views on security priorities and geopolitical developments.'
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chan Chun Sing meets Timor-Leste president, foreign defence leaders
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH SINGAPORE – Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing met with a number of his regional and international counterparts on May 30, where he reaffirmed Singapore's friendly bilateral defence ties with them. On the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Mr Chan called on Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security developments and ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, said Mindef. Mr Chan met Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof, and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as engagement through multilateral platforms such as the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus. Singapore's and Brunei's militaries have regular interactions through high-level visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses and bilateral exercises, which strengthen ties and enhance professionalism, said Mindef. Both countries will mark the 50th anniversary of their defence relations in 2026. Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (right) with Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof on May 30. PHOTO: MINDEF Mr Chan also met Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and the two leaders expressed their commitment to continue working together through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus meetings. They also discussed avenues to further defence cooperation between their countries. Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) with Philippines Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH In addition, Mr Chan met French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. At their meeting, Mr Chan expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998. Both ministers also exchanged views on security priorities and geopolitical developments, said Mindef. The two defence ministers had earlier on May 30 signed three agreements to expand cooperation between Singapore and France in emerging and advanced areas of defence technology, such as quantum and artificial intelligence. The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a state visit to Singapore. The state visit came as Singapore and France marked 60 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, PM Wong and President Macron upgraded bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Republic's first with a European country. Mr Chan's meetings took place at the Shangri-La Hotel, where regional and global defence leaders have gathered for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit. The dialogue, being held from May 30 to June 1, brings 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.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
US Defence Secretary Hegseth in Singapore as Shangri-La Dialogue kicks off amid geopolitical tensions
Singapore: The 22nd edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), Asia's premier defence and security summit, opened here on Friday amid geopolitical tensions. This year's dialogue drew representatives from 47 countries, including 40 ministerial-level delegates, 20 chief of defence forces-level delegates, over 20 senior defence officials, and prominent academics, according to the Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver a keynote speech late Friday, where he's expected to position France -- and Europe -- as champions of international cooperation and rules-based trade. Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a Special Address on May 31 while Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will also host delegates to a dinner on Saturday. MINDEF detailed that Singapore's Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing will speak at the seventh plenary session on June 1 on the topic 'Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific'. As a regular feature of the SLD, Chan will host visiting Ministers to Roundtable discussions on Saturday and Sunday and the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers to breakfast. Chan will also conduct bilateral meetings with Ministers and senior officials from various countries on the sidelines of the SLD. Analysts say key topics will likely include regional cooperation, the US security policies and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The implications of sweeping US tariffs are also likely to attract attention, as officials will use the platform to reassure partners and navigate an increasingly multipolar security landscape. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth is also in Singapore to attend SLD and held a meeting with Chan on the sidelines of the event on Friday. "During the meeting, Chan and Hegseth reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding bilateral defence relationship and the mutually beneficial partnership between Singapore and the US, as anchored by the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore. The 1990 MOU was last renewed in 2019 between then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President Donald Trump," read a statement issued by the MINDEF. "Chan and Secretary Hegseth agreed on the importance of the US' continued engagement in the Asia-Pacific, which is vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity. Secretary Hegseth also expressed appreciation for Singapore's consistent support for the US' military presence in and engagement of the region. This includes Singapore's facilitation of rotations by US aircraft and vessels, including rotational deployments, port calls, and aircraft stopovers," it added. The Dialogue runs from Friday through Sunday. Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, regional security cooperation, Asia-Pacific stability, Emmanuel Macron
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
PM Anwar To Deliver Special Address At 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue
GENERAL By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz SINGAPORE, May 29 (Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a Special Address at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in Singapore on Saturday (May 31), according to Singapore' Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). In a statement, MINDEF said the premier defence and security conference in the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by Singapore, will take place from May 30 to June 1. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to deliver this year's Keynote Address on Friday (May 30). 'This year's edition, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), will see the participation of 47 countries, with 40 ministerial-level delegates, 20 chiefs of defence forces, and more than 20 senior defence officials, as well as prominent academics,' the statement said. Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will host delegates at a dinner at the St. Regis Singapore on May 31 (Saturday). Meanwhile, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing will speak at the seventh plenary session on Sunday (June 1), under the theme 'Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific.' MINDEF added that, as part of the regular features of the SLD, Chan will host visiting ministers for roundtable discussions on May 31 and June 1, and host the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) defence ministers to breakfast. Chan will also hold bilateral meetings with ministers and senior officials from various countries on the sidelines of the SLD.
