Singapore (VNA) - Singapore and the US have inked an agreement to further cooperate on defence innovation, such as leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems to solve their militaries’ operational challenges.
According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on May 31, the two countries will work on solutions to ongoing security challenges, such as the development of counter-drone capabilities, and technologies to enhance maritime security.
The Singaporean Ministry of Defence said the MoU was signed at Shangri-La Hotel by Singaporean defence scientist Tan Peng Yam and Douglas Beck, director of the US’s Defence Innovation Unit and senior adviser to the US secretary of defence.
The signing was witnessed by Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, who is visiting Singapore for the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, which is being held from May 31 to June 2.
Ng said merging and dual-use technologies are rapidly evolving, and defence establishments need to find ways to better harness these commercial technologies at the speed of relevance.
Meeting before the signing ceremony, the two officials reaffirmed their countries’ mutually beneficial partnership and discussed ways to strengthen defence cooperation. They also discussed geopolitical developments and regional security issues, and reaffirmed the importance of the US’s continued engagement in the Asia-Pacific./.
Singapore, US agree to enhance defence cooperation
Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen had a meeting with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Shangri-La Singapore hotel on June 2, during which the two sides affirmed their commitment to continue seeking opportunities to promote bilateral defence cooperation.
