Singapore's military to get more access for training in Australia under new pact

MOU is one of 20 signed under upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

- Anjali Raguraman Correspondent

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will get more access to training areas and facilities in Australia under a new pact between the two countries.

This means increased provisions for SAF exercises in Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay and Greenvale training areas, the Ministry of Defence said.

It will also establish a fighter training detachment for a rotating deployment of Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel in Australia. Such overseas training detachments are conducted owing to airspace constraints in Singapore.

The reciprocal defence pact will also see the Australian Defence Force's vessels and aircraft make more frequent port calls and stopovers in Singapore. This comes as Australia moves to step up its regional presence.

The agreement was inked on Oct 8 in the Australian capital of Canberra, ahead of the 10th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting, where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2.0.