SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE CALLS ON AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MINISTER

Minister of Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen called on Australian Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner in Canberra on 23 Nov.

At the meeting held at the Parliament House, both leaders discussed regional security issues of mutual concern and reaffirmed the strong and broad-based bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Australia.

As part of his four-day visit to Australia, Dr Ng also called on Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard and Shadow Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston. He also met Minister for Defence Personnel, Material and Science Greg Combet.

Dr Ng will also visit Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops participating in Exercise Wallaby on 24 Nov. He will observe an integrated systems live-firing exercise involving air and land platforms such as the Apache attack helicopters, Pegasus lightweight howitzers and the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks.

Exercise Wallaby is held annually at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia. This year, some 3,900 SAF personnel are involved in the exercise that is being held from 16 to 29 Nov.

Dr Ng's visit to Australia is part of the regular ministerial exchanges between Singapore and Australia and underscores the close bilateral defence ties between the two countries. The SAF and the Australian Defence Force also interact extensively through bilateral and multilateral training exercises, visits, professional exchanges and military courses.

Dr Ng will return to Singapore on 25 Nov.

23 Nov 09 - Second Minister for Defence Calls on Australian Defence Minister