Singapore, Japan ink enhanced agreement on defence cooperation

Jun 11 (channelnewsasia.com) - Singapore and Japan have signed an enhanced memorandum on defence exchanges that identifies new areas of cooperation, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a statement on Saturday (Jun 11).

These areas include logistics support, exchanges on defence technology, protection against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive (CBRE) threats, strategic communications and maritime security, MINDEF said.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Japan Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi signed the agreement on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue.

The Memorandum on Defence Exchanges was first signed in 2009 between then-Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa.

The original agreement formalised defence interactions between both defence establishments, such as exchange of visits by defence officials, conduct of policy dialogues and military staff talks, as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars.

The 2009 deal also allowed both countries to broaden defence cooperation on areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and peace support operations.

On Saturday, Singapore and Japan also announced the commencement of negotiations on an agreement concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology.

The agreement will establish a legal framework for the import and export of defence equipment and technology between the two countries, but does not oblige either party to sell or buy equipment from the other party, MINDEF said.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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