Former United States (US) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Mr Frank Kendall was conferred the inaugural Singapore Distinguished Defence Fellowship (SDDF) by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon. The SDDF was established in 2018 following a review of the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship, and is an honour reserved for senior officials in recognition of their exceptional contributions towards strengthening defence ties and technology cooperation with Singapore. 

As the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics from May 2012 to January 2017, and as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics from March 2010 to May 2012, Mr Kendall played a significant role in maintaining Singapore's access to important defence technologies from the US, which bolstered the Singapore Armed Forces' operational capability and professional development. As the co-chair of the Singapore-US Defence Cooperation Committee, Mr Kendall set a strong foundation for a robust and mutually beneficial technology relationship, which continues until today. This includes the forging of deeper understanding and trust between the MINDEF and the US Department of Defense, and the deepening of professional ties between defence scientists and engineers from both countries.

On receiving the award, Mr Kendall said, "I am deeply honoured by the fellowship that Singapore has bestowed upon me. One of the joys of my position in the US Department of Defense was the opportunity to learn from and work with close partners like Singapore. I have always been strongly impressed by the technical excellence, strategic thinking, and cutting-edge innovation that characterise the leadership and people of Singapore. I view every interaction with the people of Singapore as an opportunity to learn and develop a deeper understanding of technology, the region, and the world. As an American, I would like to thank Singapore for its shared values and close cooperation. As an individual, I would like to thank the people of Singapore I have come to know for sharing their wisdom and their friendships." 

Mr Kendall will also be attending the Singapore Defence Technology Summit on 27 June 2019. 

Singapore and the US enjoy an excellent and long-standing defence relationship based on shared strategic perspectives, underscored by the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding, the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement, and the 2015 enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. The two defence establishments interact regularly through high-level visits, policy dialogues, joint military trainings and exercises, defence technology cooperation, and other professional exchanges.