United States (US) Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III arrived in Singapore on Monday to meet his Singaporean counterpart Dr Ng Eng Hen and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. According to the US Department of Defence press release, the trip is part of Austin’s introductory visit to Southeast Asia. He is the first cabinet-level official in the Joe Biden administration to visit the “crucial region.”
On Tuesday, a joint statement released by the two countries’ defence ministries stated that the US diplomat and his Singaporean counterpart reaffirmed a “long-standing and multi-faceted bilateral defence relationship.” It added: “The ties were recently underscored by the signing of the 2019 Protocol of Amendment to renew the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the United States use of facilities in Singapore and the signing of the MOU concerning the establishment of a Republic of Singapore Air Force Fighter Training Detachment in Guam.”
In addition, Secretary Austin thanked Singapore “for the logistical support that it provides to US military aircraft and vessels, as well as for facilitating the regular rotational deployment of US Littoral Combat Ships and P-8 Poseidon aircraft.” The statement added that this support relies on the “shared belief” that US presence in the region “is vital for its peace, prosperity, and stability.” Austin and Dr Ng also committed to continuing discussions on the US initiatives related to overall military disposition, strength, and readiness.
The two leaders also discussed joint military training exercises such as the 3rd Exercise Pacific Griffin and the 40th Exercise Tiger Balm, multilateral activities such as Exercise Rim of the Pacific and Exercise Red Flag–Nellis, and several “other professional and policy exchanges and interactions.” Secretary Austin then emphasised that the US looks forward to hosting Singapore’s future F-35B fighter aircraft detachment. In response, Dr Ng thanked him for the US support in facilitating Singapore’s overseas training and exercises, which has helped it overcome its space constraints.
The release mentioned that the leaders concluded the meeting by agreeing to continue expanding the role of the US-Singapore partnership “in maintaining regional stability, such as through increased exchanges and training opportunities for the region’s young defence leaders.” A Senior Defence Official travelling with the Secretary said: “We want to drive home the point that we think that the US is a reliable partner for our Asian partners and that we have consistently been there when it counts. So, past, present or future, when our partners have been in need, the United States has consistently shown up.”
Furthermore, US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral (ADM) Michael Gilday, who was also travelling with Austin, met Dr Ng Eng Hen at Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Tuesday. In a statement, Singapore’s Defence Ministry said that during their meeting, Dr Ng and ADM Gilday discussed “regional security developments and initiatives to continue strengthening mutual cooperation between the two navies.”
Secretary Austin is scheduled to speak at the 40th anniversary Fullerton Lecture in Singapore on Wednesday and will later leave for Vietnam and the Philippines.
US and Singapore Defence Ministries Affirm Necessity for Regional Stability
The United States Secretary of Defence, Lloyd James Austin III, met his Singaporean counterpart, Dr Ng Eng Hen, to discuss joint military training to achieve and maintain regional stability.
July 28, 2021
Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen. SOURCE: MINDEF.SG