Dr. Ng also emphasized the need to develop alliances with other nations as a means of addressing shared safety issues during his speech on Monday.  ,
Singapore’s and Indonesia’s defense cooperation arrangement, which has been in effect since March 2024, provides a solid foundation for the nations to encourage closer contact and teamwork between their defense institutions, he said.  ,
He referred to a conference held in November of last year between Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Both officials backed increased military responsibilities for the SAF and the TNI, including joint education in Kalimantan.
Later this year, both nations ‘ air forces will do their first bilateral air patrols under the Patkor Indopura or Singapore-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol.
According to Dr. Ng, Singapore also has excellent relations with Malaysia, the government’s closest neighbor.  ,
We will help their chair as they uphold ASEAN importance and unity, he added, and Malaysia is taking the helm of ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) this year.  ,
Singapore’s defense cooperation with the United States and China is expanding, according to Dr. Ng, with standard high-level discussions occurring.
On the eve of the Shangri-La Dialogue- Asia’s major security conference in May 2024, he co-chaired the Singapore-China Defence Ministers ‘ Dialogue with China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun.
Dr. Ng was invited to speak at the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in September of last year, which was billed as China’s version of the Shangri-La Dialogue. He also addressed senior People’s Liberation Army commanders at Beijing’s National Defense University ( NDU) during a dialogue session.
He had a diplomatic call with General Zhang Youxia, the vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, and they met once it.  ,
He Weidong is second-ranked vice-chair, while Zhang occupies the first spot. The two are Chinese President Xi Jinping’s delegates to the agency’s head.
It’s a luxury for those who are familiar with the PLA construction. Dr. Ng expressed his gratitude for the privilege of having access to both vice-chairman Li and the height chief course at their NDU.
” We affirmed the great military-to-military relationships that we have through these high-level sessions and various exercises,” we said during these sessions. We intend to increase contacts in the future.
Collaborations with Singapore’s department of defense and martial are substantial, he added, and the US is a significant security cooperation partner of the country.  ,
Although it’s obvious that our defense responsibilities and common perks have grown over the years, it’s clear that we are not a treaty ally.
He added that Singapore was likewise appreciative of the country’s pilots ‘ long-term support for their planes.
Singapore pays a lot of attention to our own defenses, he said, and the US is aware of this.  ,
Under the Trump administration, I look forward to further strengthening our defense relationships.