US defence chief Hegseth meets Singapore PM Wong, reaffirms strong defence ties

Hegseth also met Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss US-Singapore security cooperation

United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday, with both leaders highlighting the strength of US-Singapore defence ties and voicing their shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid mounting geopolitical challenges.

The meeting marked the first by a Cabinet official from the current US administration to call on Wong since he assumed office. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, the two “reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations” between their countries and exchanged views on regional security developments.

Hegseth also reiterated Washington’s support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ training in the US, while Wong emphasised Singapore’s consistent backing of America’s military presence in the Asia-Pacific.

Earlier in the day, Hegseth held talks with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), where the two discussed ways to strengthen military cooperation and expand their strategic partnership.

Chan, attending the regional security summit for the first time as defence minister, later said in a statement that continued US engagement was “vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity”.

Hegseth is in Singapore for the annual SLD, regarded as the region’s premier defence conference, where he is slated to speak on Saturday in a session titled “United States’ New Ambitions for Indo-Pacific Security”. It is his first time attending the dialogue.

Chan is attending as Singapore’s defence minister for the first time after being sworn in last Friday.

Singapore’s defence ministry said on Friday the two men met over breakfast and discussed their long-standing defence relationship and the mutually beneficial partnership between their countries.

Singapore and the US have a long-standing agreement allowing American forces access to the city state’s military facilities. Originally signed in 1990, the deal was last renewed in 2019 by then-prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President Donald Trump.

Hegseth expressed appreciation for Singapore’s support of the US military’s regional presence and activities, including its facilitation of American aircraft and vessel rotations through deployments, port calls and stopovers.

Chan expressed gratitude for America’s long-standing support of the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) training in the US and access to defence technology, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s acquisition and operationalisation of the F-35 fighter jet.

The pair also discussed ways to further strengthen defence cooperation, and exchanged views on global and regional security challenges.

In a Facebook post, Chan said he welcomed Hegseth to Singapore, noting that both are alumni of Fort Benning, a US Army post in Georgia. Chan, who trained there as an infantry officer during his military career, said they reminisced about their time at Fort Benning and their experiences as infantry officers in their respective armies. He also posted photos of their visit to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark.

“We had a good meeting where we discussed geopolitical developments and reiterated our shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity,” Chan said.

The 22nd edition of the SLD kicked off on Friday with meetings taking place throughout the day. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on Friday night.

Macron is also in Singapore for a state visit marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and the city state. On Friday, the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – the highest possible tier and Singapore’s first such partnership with a European nation.

They also signed agreements to cooperate in areas including defence and security, legal affairs, artificial intelligence and transport.