Ingenieur Général de l'Armement (IGA) Laurent Collet-Billon, Director-General of the French Defence Technology and Procurement Agency, Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. IGA Collet-Billon, who is in Singapore from 25 to 26 April 2016, was also at the SAF Yacht Club in the morning to observe the RSN's experimental Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) which will support maritime security operations in the future. The mine countermeasure variant of the USV was the outcome of research collaboration between the DGA and the Defence Technology Community of Singapore.

IGA Collet-Billon's visit underscores the strong and broad-based defence ties between Singapore and France. IGA Collet-Billon is in Singapore to co-chair the 14th France-Singapore Defence Technology Co-operation Committee (FS-DTCC) meeting with Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Mr Ng Chee Khern on 26 April. This meeting is the highest bilateral forum for defence technology cooperation between France and Singapore. IGA Collet-Billon's visit will also see the FS-DTCC co-chairmen renew the Administrative Arrangement concerning defence technology cooperation between France and Singapore that was signed in 2003. The renewal of the agreement is a reflection of both countries' commitment towards the deepening of defence technology collaboration.