Australian Secretary of Defence makes Singapore stop

Singapore: Australian Secretary of Defence Dennis Richardson who’s visiting the republic, this morning paid a call on his Singapore counterpart Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Mr Richardson who arrived yesterday on his introductory visit, earlier met the Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chiang Chie Foo.

The Defence Ministry said Mr Richardson’s visit underscores the close and long—standing defence relations between Singapore and Australia.

"The Singapore Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force have a long history of military cooperation including the ongoing cooperation in Afghanistan, and extensive interactions in the form of bilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges, and the cross—attendance of courses," said MINDEF.

Both defence establishments also interact at multilateral forums such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting—Plus and Shangri—La Dialogue.

Before ending his Singapore visit today, Mr Richardson will tour Sembawang Air Base, as well as the Changi Command and Control Centre at Changi Naval Base.

— CNA/sf