Earlier within the day, Mr Hegseth met his Singapore counterpart, Mr Chan Chun Sing.
Through the breakfast assembly, they “reaffirmed the wonderful and longstanding bilateral defence relationship and the mutually helpful partnership between Singapore and the US, as anchored by the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Relating to United States Use of Amenities in Singapore,” mentioned MINDEF.
The 1990 MOU was final renewed in 2019 between then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President Donald Trump.
Each males agreed on the significance of the US’ continued engagement within the Asia-Pacific, which is “important for regional peace, stability and prosperity”.
Mr Hegseth additionally expressed appreciation for Singapore’s constant assist for the US’ army presence in and engagement of the area.
“This consists of Singapore’s facilitation of rotations by US plane and vessels, together with rotational deployments, port calls, and plane stopovers,” MINDEF mentioned.
Mr Chan expressed appreciation for the US’ longstanding assist for the SAF coaching within the US, in addition to for the SAF’s know-how entry, together with the Republic of Singapore Air Pressure’s acquisition and operationalisation of the F-35 plane, MINDEF mentioned.
MINDEF mentioned the US Protection Secretary expressed the nation’s dedication to assist the “SAF’s high-end coaching and know-how entry”.
Each males additionally mentioned methods to additional strengthen defence cooperation and exchanged views on world and regional safety challenges.
