Singapore, China step-up defence cooperation
Singapore and China signed an enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) on 20 October, signalling a step-up in defence cooperation between the two countries.
Singapore’s Minister for Defence, Ng Eng Hen, and Chinese State Councillor and Minister of National Defense, Wei Fenghe, signed the enhanced agreement at the 7th International Military Sports Council Military World Games in Wuhan.
First signed in 2008, the ADESC formalises activities between the Ministry of Defence and the Singapore armed forces, and the People's Liberation Army; including port calls, bilateral exercises, mutual visits, and cross-attendance of courses.
Under the enhanced ADESC, bilateral defence cooperation between Singapore and China will be increased significantly to include the establishment of a regular Singapore-China Defence Ministers' Dialogue, a Visiting Forces Agreement for troops participating in bilateral exercises, a mutual logistics support arrangement and a bilateral hotline.
Both countries will also conduct more regular academic exchanges among military academies and think-tanks. On enhancing cooperation on multilateral platforms, both sides are also committed to maintaining high-level attendance at multilateral conferences and dialogues such as the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
More from Defence Notes
-
MBDA navigates supply chain pressures amidst increased demand for armaments
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
-
Why UK defence still faces an uncertain future and difficult decisions
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
-
What's the deal with defence procurement? (podcast)
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.