The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and former Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Air Marshal (AM) Robert Chipman, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to AM Chipman at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

AM Chipman was conferred the award for his significant contributions in strengthening the close and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Australia. During his tenure as the Chief of the RAAF, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) marked the 30th anniversary of its flight training detachment at RAAF Base Pearce in Australia in October 2023. AM Chipman’s strong support for the RSAF’s training in Australia was important for the RSAF’s force generation and operational readiness, and laid the foundations for more high-end training opportunities in Australia through the RSAF’s Extended Fighter Detachment in Pearce.

Under his leadership, both the RSAF and the RAAF interacted regularly through high-level visits, cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges, and the conduct of bilateral and multilateral exercises, such as Exercise Churinga and Exercise Pitch Black. These interactions continue to expand bilateral defence cooperation and deepen the rapport between both air forces.

On receiving the award, AM Chipman said, “Australia and Singapore share a deep and enduring defence relationship and strategic partnership. Our defence forces have strong ties as demonstrated through deployments, participation in exercises and training and exchanges of personnel. I am honoured to receive the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) and look forward to our two countries continuing to work together to strengthen regional security.”

AM Chipman, who is in Singapore from 7 to 9 October 2024, had inspected a Guard of Honour and called on Dr Ng and Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Fan prior to the investiture. As part of his visit, AM Chipman also co-chaired the 10th ADF-Singapore Armed Forces Annual Staff Talks with Chief of Staff – Joint Staff Brigadier-General Goh Pei Ming, and spoke at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College as part of the Distinguished Speakers’ Programme yesterday.