The New Zealand Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal (AM) Kevin Short called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence today. During their meeting, Dr Ng and AM Short reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and New Zealand, and the need for both countries to work together to deal with transnational threats.

AM Short, who is in Singapore from 15 to 16 September 2021 for his introductory visit, also called on Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and reviewed a Guard of Honour prior to calling on Dr Ng. AM Short will visit the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility later today, where analysts from Singapore, New Zealand and other regional countries work alongside one another to share information to combat terrorism.

The two defence establishments interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, cross attendance of courses, cooperation in overseas deployments and professional exchanges. Both countries are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which will mark its 50th anniversary later this year. These mutually beneficial interactions have deepened the defence relationship and strengthened people-to-people ties between the personnel of the two armed forces.

Relevant health checks and safe management measures were taken by the visiting delegation.